Arsene Wenger believes Jack Wilshere needs a prolonged period without injuries in order to fulfil his potential.
England and Arsenal midfielder Wilshere has recently returned to the Gunners bench following an ankle injury picked up against Manchester United in November.
The 23-year-old required surgery to fix the problem but suffered a setback in February and needed to have two pins removed from his ankle.
It was the latest in a long line of injuries for the midfielder.
Arsenal boss Wenger said: "Jack is in front of what we expected him to be.
"What takes a long time and what people underestimate a little bit is that to get back to be capable to play is one thing, but to be back and be capable to be sharp and efficient takes a bit longer.
"Even the players, from the moment they train again fully and the moment they are really back to their level, they are impatient, but it takes much longer than they think to get sharp again.
"In the Premier League it is a fraction of a second that makes you efficient or not.
"Jack plays with freedom as soon as he is back, so I don't think on that front it will be a problem.
"But he needs now one or two years without problems to really get the full confidence and belief back, and I don't see why it shouldn't happen."
Wilshere made his England debut against Hungary and 2010 and has gone on to earn 26 caps, his last appearance coming against Scotland last year.
Arsenal will take on Aston Villa in The FA Cup Final at Wembley Stadium on Saturday 30 May.
