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Why Jack is already doing his coaching badges

Arsene Wenger says Jack Wilshere has a “football brain” and the player himself is determined to make the most of it - which is why he’s already doing his coaching badges.



 

Wilshere is just 25 but has one eye firmly fixed on what he will do once his playing career is over, and is currently working towards his Uefa B qualification at Hale End.

 

But why has he started so early?

 

“Last year when I was at Bournemouth, they weren’t in Europe and didn’t have midweek games so it felt like an opportunity,” Wilshere told the Arsenal Magazine.

 

“A few of the lads were talking about doing their level two badge and I thought I would jump on it and get through it. I really enjoyed it.

 

“While I’m fit and healthy and playing, I might not need it but even if I have another 10 years in me, I don’t want to be at the end of my career and then have a year out and think ‘What do I want to do?’ and have to go through level two, Uefa A and Uefa B.

 

“So I’m doing my Uefa B at the minute and luckily we have great facilities and great players, and Uefa have been really helpful. I am going to complete that and see what I want to do.”

The November edition of the Arsenal Magazine is out now

The November edition of the Arsenal Magazine is out now

 

Wilshere has been joined in doing his badges by Per Mertesacker ahead of the German taking over as our academy manager next summer. The midfielder is backing him to be a big success.

 

“It was Per’s idea and he said, ‘If you want to continue it with me, I am doing it’ and I was up for it,” he said.

 

“I think Per is going to be great in that job, he might need an assistant one day so you never know! He has that character, he is a great captain even if he’s not playing. He is so positive and he wants the team to do well, he is a great example for a young player.

 

“If you are coming through at Hale End, he is someone to look up to. I am sure he will pass his knowledge to them.”

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