Who is Jack Wilshere?
Jack Wilshere is a former England and Arsenal star who is set to make his second appearance on the Soccer Aid pitch. Wilshere joined the Arsenal academy at the age of 9, impressing with his skills and quickly rising through the ranks. He became captain of the under-16 side and caught the attention of youth coach Steve Bould, who promoted him to the under-18 squad.
Wilshere’s performances continued to impress, and he made his debut for Arsenal reserves at just 16 years old. The following season, he was named in Arsene Wenger’s senior squad and made his first-team debut as a substitute against Blackburn Rovers, becoming Arsenal’s youngest-ever debutant. A loan spell at Bolton Wanderers solidified his place in the first team.
International Success and Injury Setbacks
Wilshere’s performances for Arsenal earned him a call-up to the England senior team, where he became one of the youngest players ever to win a full cap. However, in the 2011/12 season, he suffered a stress fracture in his ankle, marking the beginning of a series of injury setbacks that would plague his career. He missed the entire season and spent 17 months on the sidelines before making his return.
A loan spell at Bournemouth allowed Wilshere to regain his form and win consecutive Player of the Month awards. However, another fracture, this time in his fibula, cut short his loan spell. Despite these setbacks, Wilshere had success in the Arsenal first team but was eventually sold to West Ham in 2018. After a short-term contract with Bournemouth, he announced his retirement from playing at the age of 30.
Life after Retirement
Following his retirement from playing, Wilshere took on a new role as the head coach of Arsenal’s under-18s. Despite his injury-ridden career, he remains a Gunners legend and is currently serving as a youth team coach at the club. In addition to his coaching duties, Wilshere has become an ambassador for the British Heart Foundation, raising awareness about heart problems.
Soccer Aid 2024
Wilshere will be returning to the Soccer Aid pitch in 2024, playing as a midfielder. The charity match features a lineup of professional footballers and celebrities representing England against the World XI squad. England will be looking for a much-needed win after several years of defeat. The match will be broadcast live on ITV1, ITVX, and STV, with Dermot O’Leary and Alex Scott as hosts. The game will take place at Stamford Bridge, the home of Premier League side Chelsea. Fans eagerly anticipate the event, which is set to kick off on Sunday, June 9, 2024.