The England international has been out of action since November with an ankle problem but has enjoyed every minute of their current eight-game winning streak in the Premier League

Jack Wilshere says Arsenal’s recent performances have been a “joy to watch” during his injury-enforced absence.

The England international has been absent since November with an ankle problem and he has thus missed their current run of eight consecutive Premier League victories.

Arsene Wenger’s men are now just seven points behind table-toppers Chelsea – though the Blues have a game in hand – and the two London rivals are set to meet at the Emirates on April 26.

Wilshere, who has been stepping up his rehabilitation in recent weeks and featured in an Under-21s game earlier this week, has now admitted that is savouring Arsenal’s steady improvement.

“Not just over the last season, I think it’s over the last few years [that we have made progress],” he told the club’s official website.

“We lost a lot of players from when I started in the first team, a lot of people said Arsenal would never come back but we didn’t listen to them.

“We kept going, added real quality, world-class players to the squad and the main thing here is the team ethic.

“You can see that we have a great atmosphere around, everyone wants to work for one another and we go into every game knowing we can create chances if we stay strong defensively.

“I remember when I got my first injury and it was the year when Cesc [Fabregas] left. We struggled that year at the start and it was tough to watch.

“It has been totally different this year – they have been playing great football and it has been a joy to watch.”