JACK WILSHERE ANNOUNCES RETIREMENT
Former England and Arsenal midfielder Jack Wilshere has decided to retire from professional football. The 30-year-old announced the news on Friday.
In a statement on Twitter, Jack said: āIt has been an unbelievable journey filled with so many incredible moments and I feel privileged to have experienced all that I did during my career. From being the little boy kicking a ball around in the garden to captaining my beloved Arsenal and playing for my country at a World Cup. I have lived my dream.ā
Wilshere spent the last half of last season abroad after signing for Danish side AGF Aarhus in February of 2022. The Stevenage-born midfielder has decided to hang up his boots after battling through most of his career, especially in recent years, with a number of injuries.
āIn truth, it has been difficult to accept that my career has been slipping away in recent times due to reasons outside of my control whilst feeling that I have still had so much to give. Having played at the very highest level I have always held such huge ambitions within the game and if I am truthful I did not envisage being in this position at times. However, having had time to reflect and talk with those closest with me, I know that now is the right time and despite the difficult moments I look back on my career with great pride at what I have achieved.ā
āPlaying at the very highest level with some of the best players in the world, winning FA Cups, captaining my club and representing my country were beyond my wildest dreams when I was a small boy growing up in Hitchin. I feel very fortunate to have had the career Iāve had but none of it would have been possible if it wasnāt for the love and support of so many people.ā
Wilshere broke onto the scene at just 16 years old in 2008 after rising through Arsenalās academy program and was the youngest ever Arsenal Premier League debutant, a record that had previously been held by former Arsenal captain, Cesc Fabregas. Alongside his 34 appearances for the English national team that included 2 goals, Wilshere made 197 appearances for Arsenal, scoring 14 times. Although not a natural scorer, the midfielder was a magician with the ball at his feet and was lauded for his work rate and ability that allowed others to thrive around him.
Wilshereās 10-year-spell at Arsenal came to an end in 2018, albeit coming after several seasons spent on loan at both Bolton and Bournemouth. Wilshere then later made a permanent move to East London with West Ham United where injuries limited him to just 19 appearances in three seasons for the Hammers. A short spell with Bournemouth then came along in the 2020/21 season before Jack tried his luck abroad.
Jack left heartfelt words for Arsenal, Arsene Wenger, and the clubās supporters: āWords will never do justice to the love and thanks I have for the boss, Arsene, Pat Rice, and Boro Primorac. Without your belief, support, and guidance from the very first day we met I wouldnāt have been able to become part of the Arsenal family. Iām forever grateful to you all. A huge thank you to the board, management, and everyone else connected with Arsenal FC. Having joined the club at the age of 7 years old youāve become my extended family and thank you for everything.ā
āTo the best supporters on the planet, all of you Arsenal fans, thank you all from the bottom of my heart. To play for you all has been a privilege. Youāve always made me feel supported and I hope I did you proud representing your club. Iāll never forget how you always backed me and Iāll forever be a Gooner.ā
Arsene Wenger said concerning Wilshereās retirement: āWell, for me, itās a sad moment because Jack is an exceptional football player. He, firstly, should not thank us, but himself because he was brave. He was talented. He wasnāt scared of anybody thatās why we thought he could start at such a young age. He started in 2008. Heās a ā92 so that means he was 16 years old and thatās of course exceptional at that level. And straight away he showed he had the quality to be a main player.ā
āHe stops in 2022 at 30 years of age. That for a midfielder and a technical player is a fantastic age and that sums up a little bit what Jackās career was; exceptional talent but didnāt play enough games because of injuries. Thatās why in the end I think he stopped. Itās very different when youāre a star like he was and you cannot play at your best anymore, thatās very difficult to swallow and you lose confidence. I think he took the right decision.ā
āI believe as well that thereās a coaching career in front of him. The fact that he couldnāt go to, maybe, the end of his potential might help him to be motivated, to have a great coaching career. Thatās what I wish.ā
Wilshere spent the last year getting his coaching badges and is set to begin a job coaching the Arsenal U18s following the departure of Dan Micciche to Crawley. Wilshere met with former teammate Per Mertesacker to discuss a coaching role at Arsenal last week after Danish media reported that the class of ā92ās Salford City had offered Jack a route playing full-time in England. Salford City FC is owned by former Manchester United legends and Class of ā92 academy graduates Gary and Phil Neville, David Beckham, Ryan Giggs, Nicky Butt, and Paul Scholes and competes in League Two.
āFirst of all, he has a great understanding of the game,ā Wenger said of the midfielderās coaching ability. āI feel like the midfield position is a position that suits well the development of a coach. After that, heās brave. He has good communication skills. Heās honest, intelligent. And on top of that, he certainly finishes his career frustrated. If he manages to transform that frustration into motivation, to show how good he is in football, he can have a promising career as a coach.ā
The move to appoint Wilshere as the U18s coach continues Arsenalās culture of integrating former players into the club; former club captain Mikel Arteta is the club manager, former midfielder Edu Gaspar is the clubās technical director, Per Mertesacker, also a former club captain is the Arsenal academy manager.
Ā Ā Ā Wilshere remarked āI have enjoyed every moment of my career and it has been the journey of a lifetime. Now is the right time to close this chapter but I still have so much to give to the game and I am excited about what the future holds.ā
-Maher Abucheri
Twitter: @pabloikonyero
Photo: AFC Bournemouth. This file is licensed under theĀ Creative CommonsĀ Attribution 3.0 UnportedĀ license.