Jack Wilshere is doing an “amazing” job bringing through Arsenal’s next generation.
Arsenal academy manager Per Mertesacker has heaped praise on Wilshere for leading the under-18s into the FA Youth Cup final with West Ham at the Emirates on Tuesday night. But even Mertesacker admitted he was not sure whether Wilshere “would turn up” for the interview as it was such a quick introduction into his coaching career.
Gunners midfielder Wilshere, 31, forced to retire through injury, is now following the example of Mertesacker, Mikel Arteta and Edu into becoming former players now guiding the club back to greatness. Mertesacker said: “I was praying that Jack would turn up for the interview and be himself. So that was a moment when the truth came out.
“It was brilliant to see him presenting himself, what he stands for, what he wants to be like, what coach he wants to be, how he wants to play.
“That needs to be somewhat aligned with what Mikel wants to see. I was just pretty impressed how Jack and Mehmet have presented themselves in front of senior people that could have said ‘not good enough, we want to have people from the outside coming in.’
“Head coach is a big job. Struggling, learning moments in his first year, was amazing. But to go on an FA Youth Cup run like he did, who could have done that? I don’t know, I’m not sure. I think he has done amazing in his transition.”
Arsenal’s results in the league have been mixed but they have been on a great run in the FA Youth Cup with the likes of Amario Cozier-Duberry standing out as a big prospect.
Gunners boss Arteta has been quick to give young players a chance in the first team and Mertesacker says the feel good factor is running through the club.
Mertesacker added: “Clearly, the first team vibes, women’s and men’s, rub off on the youth and the academy as well.
“Mikel I know quite close from the relationship we had between ourselves and from our playing careers. I’m quite buzzing, you know, thinking about where we are and where we can go.”
