For a number of seasons, Arsenal fans have watched on in disappointment as their side promise so much in the Premier League title race, only to fall short and relinquish top spot to a domestic rival.

There have been a number of reasons for the North Londoners not being crowned English champions since 2004, with inconsistency, poor starts to campaigns and a lack of firepower playing their part in the silverware lull.

However, losing key players to injury has been one of the main factors preventing Arsene Wenger’s side from reaching their potential and continues to be an issue this season.

The Emirates Stadium outfit appear to have worse luck on the injury front than most of their top-four rivals, with the absence of pivotal players weakening the collective.

This season the likes of Theo Walcott, Aaron Ramsey, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, Hector Bellerin, Danny Welbeck and others have all been absent for prolonged periods and consequently hurt Arsenal’s chances of success in the process.

One of the most interesting, yet frustrating, cases for the Gunners will be that of Jack Wilshere however.

Widely regarded as one of the most promising and able footballers of the current English generation, when the dynamic midfielder is fit and on form he can have a telling influence on both club and country.

However, the problem has been that the homegrown hero has failed to stay away from the treatment table and seems to spend more time away from the action than on the pitch.

The 23-year-old is yet to feature for Arsenal this season and the prognosis is that Wilshere will not be available to contribute until the new year.

The Stevenage-born star only started nine Premier League games for the Emirates Stadium side last season and has not breached the 30-game barrier for the club since 2010-11.

Looking at it objectively and taking Wilshere’s undoubted ability into account, if the England international was to receive a clean bill of health and be able to string a run of games together it could well be the difference between success and failure for Arsenal.

The gifted deep-lying playmaker’s range of passing, vision and energy are key elements to the Gunners’ fabled brand of attacking football, with the Gunners a much more fluid and dangerous team when he is in it.

Looking at the team’s hopes for this season, if Wilshere can return to the fold at the turn of the year, be eased into action slowly and stay fit, this would be a massive boost for the North London club’s title hopes.

Wenger’s men are over-reliant on Francis Coquelin and Santi Cazorla in the centre of midfield currently, with the Englishman’s return potentially allowing the Spaniard to operate in a more advanced role.

With the Emirates Stadium side renowned for their excellent run of form going into the business end of the campaign, Wilshere’s return could well be the deciding factor in Arsenal’s hopes of becoming English champions.

For the player himself, repeated injuries must be completely disheartening and for the midfielder to reach his superstar billing staying fit and available for long periods is necessary.

England will also hope that this unique talent is available for Euro 2016 next summer, while Arsenal’s hopes of usurping the likes of Manchester City in the race for the title could well rest on Wilshere’s shoulders.