I’ve lived the dream but it’s time to close this chapter ...I’m excited for the future

WILSHERE QUITS BUT SET TO BE NAMED GUNNERS’ U18s COACH

JACK WILSHERE has hung up his boots having “lived the dream” and will be confirmed next week as Arsenal Under-18s head coach.

The boy wonder made his Arsenal debut, aged just 16 years and 256 days, as a substitute against Blackburn Rovers in September 2008. It made him the club’s youngest league debutant. But injuries blighted the luckless playmaker’s game and curtailed his career.

Arsene Wenger, who gave him his Premier League debut, said Wilshere, 30, had made the right decision. “It’s a sad moment because Jack is an exceptional football player,” he said.

“He was brave, talented and wasn’t scared of anybody. That’s why we felt he could start at such a young age.

“He was 16. That’s exceptional at that level. And straight away he showed he had the quality to be a main player.”

Wenger (with Wilshere, above) added: “When you are a star and you cannot play at your best any more its very difficult to swallow. That’s why I think he took the right decision.

“I believe he has a coaching career in front of him. The fact that he couldn’t go to the end of his potential might help him to be able to make a great coaching career. That’s what I wish.”

Wilshere went on to make 197 appearances for the senior team, winning two FA Cups. He also won 34 England caps. He later had spells at West Ham, Bolton, Bournemouth and Danish side AGF Aarhus. But injuries continued to take their toll.

Perhaps his most memorable performance came against Barcelona in a 2011 Champions League clash. Up against players of the calibre of Xavi and Andres Iniesta, Wilshere gave a man-of-the-match display.

Wilshere

(right) said on social media:

“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. It 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. “In truth it has been difficult to accept that my career has been slipping away in recent times due to reasons outside 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 ambitions within the game and, if I am truthful, I did not envisage being in this position. “However, having had time to reflect and talk with those closest to me, I know that now is the right time. Despite the difficult moments, I look back on my career with great pride in what I’ve achieved. “I have enjoyed every moment of my career – it’s 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.”