The England international was ruled out of Christmas fixtures against Chelsea and West Ham United after an Independent Regulatory Commission, acting on behalf of The Football Association, upheld a charge of making an offensive gesture during last weekend's game at Manchester City.

While admitting the charge, Wilshere and Arsenal claimed a two-game suspension was inconsistent with past FA precedents for similar offences. But, speaking at his pre-match press conference on Friday, Wenger admitted there was nothing he could do.

"We thought the ban was one game and that's why we appealed," he said.

"It is two, we have to accept it and to swallow it. He was wrong in his reaction, we just thought it was a one-game ban and that's why we appealed but we are now in a situation where we have to accept it and wait until he comes back, and focus on our next games without him."