Former Arsenal midfielder Jack Wilshere says working with Mikel Arteta changed his view of coaching and helped him begin a new career after injuries ended his playing days early.
Wilshere, now manager of Luton, told the British media that his injuries had been “truly devastating” at the time, but he no longer feels the same resentment because he loves coaching.
“If it weren’t for those injuries, I might still be playing at 34,” he said. “But looking at it from another perspective, I’m lucky to have had the opportunity to start this new journey so early.”
Wilshere earned his UEFA B coaching licence while still playing and later began working towards his A licence. While without a club, he accepted a proposal from Arsenal sporting director Edu to return to the Arsenal U18 team, train with the first team and continue his coaching education.
He trained with the senior side in the mornings and watched Arteta work before applying what he had learned with the Under-18s in the afternoons.
“Eddie Howe had similarities, but Mikel was more focused, more demanding and paid more attention to teaching players the details,” said Wilshere. “I truly started to fall in love with coaching.”
Wilshere admitted he initially struggled to communicate his ideas, plan sessions and produce the desired results. Arteta helped him understand the tactical reasons behind decisions he had previously carried out as a player without questioning.
“I had never really delved deeper into why the coach asked me to do that,” Wilshere said. “Mikel completely helped me clarify these tactical logics.”
The pair remain in regular contact, and Wilshere said Arteta’s success with Arsenal had strengthened his own belief in the coaching philosophy they shared.
He praised Arsenal’s young players, including Myles Lewis-Skelly and Max Dowman. Wilshere coached Dowman in the Arsenal U18 team when he was 13, after he skipped a grade.
“I played for the U18s at fourteen,” Wilshere said. “I remember calling my dad and saying, ‘You have to come and watch this kid play.’ Even my dad admitted he was better than I was at that age.”
Wilshere also revealed that his eldest son has earned a place in Luton’s academy after coming through trials. His eight-year-old daughter is also passionate about football, despite having undergone heart surgery after doctors discovered a hole in her heart.
The former England player said his son Archie had epilepsy and collapsed at school when he was four, prompting an ambulance call to the family home. He said all four children are now healthy.
Wilshere acknowledged that he still needs to improve his work-life balance. Even after Luton won the Championship, he had only one beer before beginning preparations for their match against Northampton.
“The most important thing is to keep pushing through,” he said. “Like a boxer, you’re bound to get hit in the face, but keep moving forward and always stick to what you believe in.”
