Retiring Jack Wilshere returns to Arsenal’s academy to coach the U-18s

Former Arsenal midfielder Jack Wilshere has said he wants to implement the style and ideas of former manager Arsene Wenger and current boss Mikel Arteta after taking over the reins of the club’s under-18 team following his retirement from football.

Wilshere, who made 197 appearances for Arsenal under Wenger and spent five seasons alongside Arteta, announced on Friday that the 30-year-old was ending his injury-plagued career.

Wilshere said he wants a team that dominates possession and tries to win the ball back as quickly as possible.

Wenger and Arteta’s thoughts

“Working under Arsene and people like that, they instilled that in us from a young age,” he said. “If I can bring that together with Michael’s thoughts and ideas, I think that’s a recipe for success.”

Wilshere said he hopes to complement his coaching experience with his knowledge of Arsenal’s youth set-up, having come through the academy himself.

“I have the experience of following in the players’ footsteps, coming through the academy and breaking into the first team,” Wilshere said.

“I think I need to focus on myself here, learning how to be a coach, but I think when you have ambition and you’re hungry, it helps you learn quickly and ultimately you help the kids.”