Jack Wilshere set to end his 13-month exile from the Arsenal line-up with Alexis Sanchez, Theo Walcott and Olivier Giroud also due to feature against Cologne in the Europa League

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Arsene Wenger is preparing to hand Jack Wilshere a lifeline when Arsenal open their Europa League campaign against Cologne on Thursday night.

The midfielder, whose last game for the Gunners was nearly 13 months ago, is likely to be drafted in as Wenger rotates his squad.

25-year-old Wilshere has fought his way back to fitness after breaking his leg during last season's loan spell at Bournemouth.

Jack Wilshere is in line for a start when Arsenal open their Europa League campaign at home to Cologne on Thursday night

Wilshere hasn't played for Arsenal in 13 months, spending last season out on loan at Bournemouth before injury

Wilshere last played for Arsenal in their 3-1 Premier League win at Watford back on August 27 last year

Wilshere talks to manager Arsene Wenger during training as he prepares to return to the Arsenal first team

Arsene Wenger is expected to make wholesale changes for the match at the Emirates Stadium on Thursday evening

He made the decision to stay at the Emirates Stadium after Wenger assured him he would get game time in the Europa League and domestic cup competitions. 

On Wilshere's return, Wenger said: 'He continues with the spirit and focus. There was always pressure to come back as quickly as possible and expect a lot. He can keep calm, focus on his job and he is on a good way in training.

'He is getting stronger and stronger every day. He was injured and a bit behind the other players but he is getting better and better.' 

This would be Wilshere's first Arsenal start in 16 months since the game against Aston Villa in May 2016. 

Wilshere trained alongside his colleagues at a sunny London Colney on Wednesday morning as Arsenal prepare to open their group stage against the Bundesliga outfit.

Olivier Giroud, Theo Walcott, David Ospina and Alexis Sanchez are all in line to start on Thursday with Wenger planning wholesale changes.

Alexis Sanchez (centre) is expected to start for Arsenal on Thursday night as he builds up his game time following injury

Wenger speaks to Shkodran Mustafi (right) ahead of Wednesday morning's training session at London Colney

Mustafi and Sead Kolasinac train on Wednesday morning ahead of Arsenal's first game in the Europa League in 17 years

Kolasinac and Mustafi walk out to train at London Colney ahead of Thursday night's visit of Cologne in the Europa League

Jeff Reine-Adelaide (left), Ainsley Maitland-Niles (centre) and Alex Iwobi (front right) also make their way out for training

Theo Walcott is also in contention to start on Thursday as Wenger rotates his squad with one eye on Sunday's trip to Chelsea

Sanchez came off the bench to complete 15 minutes of the 3-0 home win over Bournemouth on Saturday, having been taken off during Arsenal's humiliating 4-0 loss at Liverpool the weekend before.

The Chilean is desperately in need of extended game time having seen the start of his season delayed due to injury.

Alexandre Lacazette, Mesut Ozil, Aaron Ramsey, Danny Welbeck, Granit Xhaka, Laurent Koscielny and Petr Cech all sat out Wednesday morning's session, further hinting at mass changes. 

Speaking on Wednesday lunchtime, Wenger confirmed Arsenal had no additional problems on the injury front but the likes of Ozil and Ramsey would be rested. 

Another factor behind Wenger's rotation policy is Sunday's visit to Chelsea in the Premier League.

Arsenal have not played in the Europa League since their penalty shoot-out loss to Galatasaray in the 2000 UEFA Cup final.

Cologne, meanwhile, haven't played in European competition of any form since 1992. 

Attacker Olivier Giroud, another player likely to start Thursday's match, lines up a left foot volley during training

Wenger is expected to give game time to Sanchez, Wilshere, Walcott and Giroud on Thursday night 

Alexis Sanchez, Mohamed Elneny and Olivier Giroud are pictured training at sunny London Colney on Wednesday