Jack Wilshere says guiding Arsenal’s Under-18 side to the FA Youth Cup final is one of the highlights of his career.
The young Gunners beat Manchester City 2-1 at Emirates Stadium on Tuesday night to book a spot in the final later this month, with midfielder Myles Lewis-Skelly scoring the winner in the final minute of extra time.
Wilshere took charge of Arsenal U18s in the summer after retiring from football aged 30, having won two FA Cups and made 34 appearances for England.
But the former midfielder says last night’s dramatic win over City rivals the exploits of his playing days.
“Honestly, and right now it’s obviously fresh, but that feeling…I can’t even explain what it feels like, that moment,” said Wilshere.
“It’s relief, joy, love for the players, emotions - everything. For me, right now, it feels like one of the top moments of my career as a coach, obviously as a coach as I am young coach, but as a player as well it feels like it’s up there.”
Arsenal are bidding to win the FA Youth Cup for the first time since 2009, when Wilshere was in the team.
They will face either West Ham or Southampton, who play on Thursday night, in the final which will take place at Emirates Stadium. That date is yet to be confirmed, but the FA have said it will be held before April 29.
Arsenal sold 10,000 tickets for last night’s game and Wilshere is hoping they can get even more support for the final.
“Listen, let’s build it,” he said. “I watch the women’s games and that energy and that feeling, what they create, what the fans can create, is special. It’s a special feeling and it (the final) will be a very special occasion, one of the best in my life in my opinion.
“I watched the Youth Cup final last year and there was 60,000. I think we can [get a big crowd]. I don’t see why not.
“Obviously when we played Millwall in the first round, I thought it would be nice to get through to the final, I won it as a player, it would be nice. But then I tried to not think about that and we had some tough moments - Watford 2-0, Newcastle on the ropes, Cambridge 2-1 down.
“This team keeps doing it. They are so good and so easily coachable, then this creates a belief in them and you see it at the end. They scare me because they leave one-on-one on the backline, but they want to push, they want to attack. I love that spirit of: ‘Let’s go and score a goal’.”
