Mikel Arteta believes Jack Wilshere has the potential to be Arsenal manager one day.
Wilshere is currently the Gunners’ Under-18 head coach and led them to the FA Youth Cup final last season.
The former midfielder has spoken of his desire to one day go into senior management and he was interviewed for the manager’s job at MLS side Colorado Rapids this month.
The Rapids, who like Arsenal are owned by Kroenke Sports & Entertainment, are currently interviewing candidates and Wilshere is one of five reported contenders.
Arteta is not surprised Wilshere is being linked with senior jobs now and, asked if he could one day manage Arsenal, the Spaniard said: “Way down the line you don’t know when that is. It can be very soon.
“He has got the potential to do it. Now it is clear in his mind what he wants to do and the reasons why he wants to do it. I think it is a big asset for the club to have him here.
“First of all I am really happy that Jack is part of the setup. I think he has done really well, he has brought something that was very necessary in the academy and around the place.
“These things are going to happen when people are doing well - you are going to get attraction and then it will come down to him to make what he believes is the best decision for his career.”
