Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger expects Jack Wilshere to recover from his knock in time for next week's FA Cup fifth round tie with Blackburn.

The midfielder had to be substituted during the Gunners’ 1-0 win over Sunderland at the Stadium of Light.

Wilshere was subject to some heavy treatment against the Black Cats and was replaced by Abou Diaby early in the second period after receiving a kick to the leg.

"It was a big kick on the thigh. He couldn't walk. He doesn't walk properly now. I hope it's four or five days (until he's back)," Wenger said on Arsenal's official website.

Wenger was also left fuming by the lack of protection offered to Wilshere believing referee Anthony Taylor to have acted leniently toward the Sunderland players.

A collision with Alfred N'Diaye was the moment that eventually sent Wilshere to the treatment room but it was not the first in a bruising encounter.

“I was a bit frustrated because I thought many times, Jack didn't get the free-kick he deserved,” said Wenger.

"The referee let two or three things go that I thought were fouls on Jack. I want just the referee to give a foul when it's a foul.

“I don't want any special protection. The referee is not a bodyguard, he is just a referee and you want him just to give a foul when it's a foul.''