The 17-year-old netted twice in the 3-0 victory over Rangers yesterday to complete an impressive weekend's performances at the Emirates Cup, in front of watching England manager Fabio Capello.

Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger, though, has called for patience with the teenager, whom he fast-tracked into the first-team squad last season with Wilshere going on to break the club's appearance record for a youngster.

Almunia, 32, sees no reason why Wilshere should not continue his development with the Gunners.

"Jack has all the talent to be great at Arsenal," Almunia said on Sky Sports News.

"But everything now depends on him.

"If he continues developing skills with Arsenal, he will play - and why not in the first 11?"

Wenger, meanwhile, will this week make a decision on his final squad for the new campaign, which could yet include a move for former captain Patrick Vieira.

Midfielder Samir Nasri has been ruled out for a couple of months with a broken leg, but the return to match fitness of Czech international Tomas Rosicky and Croatia hitman Eduardo has given Wenger more options.

Centre-back Thomas Vermaelen, signed from Ajax for £10million, is expected to recover from a slight hamstring problem ahead of the new campaign, as is William Gallas, who was taken off against Rangers as a precaution following a tight hamstring.

As well as considering Vieira, Wenger is also said to be monitoring St Etienne midfielder Blaise Mutuidi, as well as Bordeaux's Moroccan striker Marouane Chamakh and Real Madrid forward Klaas-Jan Huntelaar.

Meanwhile, France international Nasri has spoken of his relief that his leg injury occurred in the middle of the Gunners' pre-season preparations rather than during the forthcoming campaign.

The 22-year-old told French sports daily L'Equipe: "I am happy that it is only a simple fracture of the fibula.

"It is better to happen now rather than right in the middle of the season.

"Now I just have to be patient. I have about three weeks of immobility before starting my rehabilitation at the start of September."