Mikel Arteta has lavished praise on Jack Wilshere as the Arsenal Under-18s manager prepares to join Norwich as a first-team coach.
Wilshere has agreed to succeed Narcis Pelach at Carrow Road after he left the club last month to take over as Stoke boss.
The former Gunners staff will work under Norwich head coach Johannes Hoff Thorup as he takes the next step in his coaching career.
And Arsenal boss Arteta says Wilshere leaves with the club’s blessing, saying: “He’s been great.
“Everyone knows about his career, about his character and he’s a really special personality.
“His attachments to the football club are unique. He has this aura and charisma and a way of connecting with people.
“He’s been an inspiration for the kids because of his history, what he did and the manner that he did it. What happens next is his decision.”
Wilshere held talks with MLS club Colorado Rapids about becoming their head coach in October last year and reportedly applied for the Aberdeen job.
The 32-year-old began his role in the Arsenal academy in the summer of 2022 shortly after retiring and led his side to the FA Youth Cup final in his first season in charge where they were beaten by West Ham.
Coaching has revitalised Wilshere’s love for the game after battling injuries in the latter stages of his career.
“I love it, honestly,” he said in April last year. “It’s given me back the real deep love for football and I didn’t know I’d lost it to be honest. I came back here last year and I was coaching a bit, training a bit.
“I love it. On the grass, trying to beat teams, trying to work out a way to play against teams, trying to develop an individual."
