Wilshere came up throughArsenal's youth academy and made hisfirst-team debut in 2008, becoming Arsenal's youngest league debutant at the age of 16 years, 256 days. He earned a number of accolades including thePFA Young Player of the Year award, selection to the 2010–11PFA Team of the Year, and Arsenal's Player of the Season award. After leaving Arsenal in 2018, Wilshere joinedWest Ham United where he remained for two years before departing by mutual consent. He then had short spells atAFC Bournemouth andAGF, before announcing his retirement from playing in 2022.
Wilshere appeared 34 times for theEngland national team, having previously represented his country at under-age levels. He made his debut for the senior team againstHungary at the age of 18 years and 222 days, making him the 12th-youngest debutant for England. He represented England at the2014 FIFA World Cup andUEFA Euro 2016.
Early life
Wilshere was born on 1 January 1992 inStevenage, Hertfordshire.[1] He grew up in nearbyHitchin, andcaptained his school team. He captained thePriory School football team to County Cup and District Cup glory from Year 7 through to Year 10, and also added the Under 15s National Cup to his list in Year 8.[2] He was a boyhoodfan of West Ham United, his idol beingPaolo Di Canio.[3]
Wilshere joined theArsenal Academy in October 2001 at the age of nine, after a short spell in theLuton Town youth programme.[4][5] He rose through the ranks, and at the age of 15 was named the captain of the under-16s.[citation needed] In the summer of 2007, Wilshere featured in theChampions Youth Cup in Malaysia and upon his return to England, Arsenal Academy coachSteve Bould gave him a start for the under-18s first match against theChelsea under-18 team.[6] He scored his first goal againstAston Villa under-18s in a 4–1 win.[7] He then scored ahat-trick against Watford under-18s, helping his side to an Academy Group A title.[8] He finished his first full season with the under-18s with 13 goals in 18 appearances, most of which came when he was 15.[9]
In February 2008, he made his debut forArsenal Reserves aged 16 againstReading, and scored Arsenal's only goal of the match, which ended in a draw.[10] He scored a memorable goal againstWest Ham reserves in March, picking the ball up and curling a shot into the top left corner under the watching eye of first-teammanagerArsène Wenger.[11] He managed to record two goals and twoassists in just three appearances for the reserves at the end of the 2007–08 season.[citation needed] He played in the under-16s' victory in the Ferroli Cup, being named as player of the tournament.[12] He played an important role in Arsenal's2008–09 FA Youth Cup win, scoring goals in the semi-final[13] and producing a man-of-the-match display in the first leg of the final againstLiverpool, assisting two goals and scoring himself.[14]
Wenger gave Wilshere a place in Arsenal's first-team squad for the2008–09 season,[15] and he was given the number 19 shirt.[16] He made his competitive debut in aPremier League match againstBlackburn Rovers atEwood Park in September 2008, as an 84th-minutesubstitute forRobin van Persie.[17] At the age of 16 years and 256 days he was Arsenal's youngest-ever league debutant, a record previously held byCesc Fàbregas.[18] Ten days later, on 23 September, Wilshere scored his first competitive Arsenal goal in a 6–0 victory againstSheffield United in the2008–09 League Cup.[19] On 25 November 2008, Wilshere came on as a substitute in aUEFA Champions League match againstDynamo Kyiv, becoming the fifth sixteen-year-old to ever play in the competition.[20] In January 2009, he signed his first professional contract,[21] extending it in July the same year.[22]
In the preparation for the2009–10 season, Wilshere scored twice and was twice awardedman of the match as Arsenal regained the friendly tournament, theEmirates Cup.[23] On 22 September 2009, he started for Arsenal in their 2–0 League Cup win overWest Bromwich Albion. In the 37th minute of the match he was involved in a controversial incident withJerome Thomas; Thomas pushed Wilshere's face and was shown a red card.[24]
Loan to Bolton Wanderers
On 29 January 2010, Wilshere joined Premier League sideBolton Wanderers onloan until the end of the2009–10 season.[25] He made his first league start in the away match atManchester City on 9 February, and scored his first Bolton goal, his first in the Premier League, on 6 March 2010 in the 2–1 victory atWest Ham United.[26] He impressed at Bolton, and that club attempted, unsuccessfully, to sign him on loan for another season.[27]
Wilshere featured in Arsenal's first three matches of the2010–11 Premier League, starting in the 1–1 draw against Liverpool, the 6–0 win overBlackpool, before coming on as a substitute against Blackburn Rovers.[28] Wilshere continued his fine form through to October, before his month was cut short with a red card in a 2–1 win againstBirmingham City on 16 October.[29] He was given his marching orders deep into injury time for a tackle onNikola Žigić and missed the rest of the domestic month.[citation needed] However, Wilshere participated in European competition againstShakhtar Donetsk scored the Gunners' fourth goal on the night in a 5–1 win.[30]
Wilshere was again a regular feature alongsideAlex Song at the heart of the Arsenal midfield during the following months.[citation needed] The role meant he had the responsibility of protecting the Arsenal back four againstChelsea.[31] Against the likes ofMichael Essien andMikel John Obi, the 18-year-old was praised for showing great physical strength during the match which Arsenal won 3–1.[31] He made seven appearances during the month of January as he continued his partnership with Alex Song at the centre of Arsenal's midfield.[citation needed] This connection was as such displayed in that of the crunch match againstManchester United which was won 1–0.[32]England managerFabio Capello described him as "the future" and declared his intention to give him the 'holding role' for England after he watched the 19-year-old hold down a midfield place for Arsenal during the course of the season.[citation needed] Wilshere finished the season competing in all of Arsenal's final fixtures during May, making 49 appearances in all competitions for Arsenal.[33]
During the summer leading into the2011–12 season, Wilshere suffered a stress fracture ankle injury during a2011 Emirates Cup pre-season friendly against theNew York Red Bulls, and during the first few months of the injury, Arsène Wenger said: "The news we have for Jack is very positive", he had said. "No [he will not be back sooner], we will respect the delays. I count maybe mid-February for Jack."[34][35] Upon having successful ankle surgery,[36] Wilshere's participation for Arsenal was minimum. Wenger further commented on his injury saying: "The first news we have had is better than expected", said Wenger. "He is not in a boot, but I don't know more. His morale looks quite good and I hope it will only be a short setback."[37]
During further rehabilitation, it looked as if Wilshere would heal, with Wenger saying: "It is difficult to set a deadline on Jack", he said. "We go week by week with him. But his last scan was very good so we don't have worry anymore. It is about progress and fitness, however, I can't set a date."[38] However, Wilshere was ruled out of the remainder of the2011–12 season.[39] The injury meant that he did not participate in a single club match all season, as well as the2012 Summer Olympics and England'sUEFA Euro 2012 campaign, with Wenger ruling him out further saying: "His ankle is fine and he makes progress, but it is slow progress, [and] we had a chat about that. His progress is not quick enough to go to the Euros."[40]
Wilshere continued his recovery from his ankle injury, which had ruled him out for the whole of the previous season.[citation needed] "We still have to assess them [him and Bacary Sagna] again after the international break", said Arsène Wenger.[citation needed] "After that they should not be too far away from normal training." He made his return to the first team, making his first Premier League start in 17 months (524 days), playing in the win overQueens Park Rangers.[41] The 20-year-old made an immediate impact, producing a typically combative performance that saw him name man of the match.[42] "It felt amazing to be back", Wilshere said. "All the hard work and long days at the training ground have paid off."[43]
He continued to feature for Arsenal, and made six appearances in December, producing another man of the match performance against that of West Bromwich Albion.[44] The young midfielder committed his long-term future to the club after signing a new contract, to the delight of Arsène Wenger, who said: "Jack is certainly the best known, the leader of this group [of young British players]. We're very happy that we could conclude their new deals at the same time."[45]
Wilshere continued to produce excellent displays in the opening month of 2013, playing a part in all eight of Arsenal's matches and scoring the winner againstSwansea City in theFA Cup.[46] His all-action performance against the Welsh side saw him win another man of the match award in that match.[46] Meanwhile, Wilshere was given the captain's armband when regular skipperThomas Vermaelen went off injured against West Ham.[47] "[Wilshere] is naturally a guy who is not scared of anything on the football pitch and that is usually the sign of a leader", Wenger said. "He wants to win and shows you that. Of course he will be one of the leaders of this club – in fact he already is. A leader is somebody who does everything on the pitch to help his team to win. And he does that."[48] He played the entirety of theNorth London derby againstTottenham Hotspur before picking up an injury that ruled him out of the month's remaining matches.[49]
He was used as a substitute in all three of Arsenal's matches in May, making late appearances against QPR,Wigan Athletic andNewcastle United.[50][51][52] "Jack will have a small, mild surgery [at the end of the season]", explained Arsène Wenger before the Wigan game. "It is a very small, small, small one. It is to remove a small pin. It will not be a problem. He will need very minor surgery, but we manage that as far as we can until the end of the season. At the moment, we use him only in games when I feel he is really needed."[53]
Wilshere started the season playing on the left wing due to injuries keeping out Arsenal's first-team wingers such asLukas Podolski,Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain andTheo Walcott.[54] He scored his first goal of the season on 6 October in a 1–1 draw away to West Bromwich Albion.[55] He scored his second goal of the season on 19 October in a 4–1 home win againstNorwich City.[56] And, on 26 November, he scored his first career brace in a 2–0 win againstMarseille in the UEFA Champions League, the first being the fastest European goal scored by an English player in Europe's top-tier competition, which was timed at 29 seconds.[57] During a match against Manchester City on 14 December, Wilshere gave an abusive hand gesture and was given a two-match ban.[58]
On 13 January 2014, Wilshere played a part in both of Arsenal's goals against Aston Villa in a match which Arsenal won 2–1.[59] Having scored in the 34th minute, Wilshere won the ball back from the kick-off and set upOlivier Giroud, who scored Arsenal's second.[59] Wilshere picked up his fourth assist of the season in Arsenal's 2–0 win over Fulham, on 18 January, setting upSanti Cazorla close to the hour mark.[60] Wilshere featured for England's friendly againstDenmark on 6 March.[61] However, following a tackle fromDaniel Agger, Wilshere was ruled out for just over six weeks after suffering a hairline fracture on his left foot, subsequently missing key Arsenal fixtures against Chelsea and Manchester City, along with the FA Cup semi-final against Wigan on 12 April.[62] On 17 May, Wilshere came on as an extra-time substitute in the2014 FA Cup final as Arsenal beatHull City 3–2 atWembley Stadium for their first silverware since 2005.[63] On 28 May, Wilshere's goal against Norwich was votedBBC Goal of the Season, accumulating 42% of the votes.[64]
On 10 August, Wilshere started as Arsenal won the2014 FA Community Shield by beating Manchester City 3–0.[65] He scored and assisted in Arsenal's 2–2 home draw against the same team on 13 September.[66] On 27 November, Wilshere was ruled out for three months following surgery on his left ankle after injuring the ligaments in a 1–2 home defeat to Manchester United.[67] On 24 May 2015, Wilshere struck from outside the area as Arsenal beat West Brom 4–1 to clinch a spot in the group stages ofnext season's UEFA Champions League.[68] The goal would later be voted the BBC Goal of the Season, making Wilshere the first player to win that award in consecutive seasons since the start of the Premier League.[69] On 30 May, Wilshere came on as a substitute in the2015 FA Cup final, a 4–0 win over Aston Villa at Wembley Stadium.[70] On Arsenal's victory parade after winning the final, he led fans in a chant calling local rivals Tottenham "shit".[71] Having previously been warned by the FA after a similar chant in the previous season's campaign, he was charged with misconduct.[72]
Wilshere broke hisfibula during pre-season training in August, and was initially expected to be out for up to a few weeks.[73] However, in September, he underwent surgery on his leg and was ruled out of action for a further 3 months.[74] In February 2016, Wilshere stated that he was working to regain fitness, albeit slowly.[75] He admitted to being frustrated by his injuries, but that he was still motivated to return to the pitch.[76] On 8 April 2016, Wilshere returned to the pitch after about 10 months as he started for the U-21 side againstNewcastle United[77] and scored his first goal after coming back from injury againstWest Brom U-21 about two weeks later.[78] On 24 April Wilshere returned to the Arsenal line up againstSunderland and returned to pitch on the 84th minute replacingMesut Özil.[79]
On 31 August 2016, Wilshere completed a season-long loan move toAFC Bournemouth for the 2016–17 season and was given the number 32, previously worn by midfielderEunan O'Kane.[80][81] On 10 September 2016, Wilshere played his first match for Bournemouth, as a 63rd-minute substitute against West Bromwich Albion; his team won 1–0.[82] Wilshere then won consecutive Player of the Month awards for Bournemouth for November and December 2016.[83] On 15 April 2017, Wilshere suffered a hairline fracture to his left fibula after his clash withHarry Kane in a match against Tottenham atWhite Hart Lane.[84] On 19 April 2017, it was confirmed that Wilshere would miss the rest of the season after making 29 Premier League appearances for Bournemouth and would be treated back at Arsenal.[84]
2017–2018: Final year at Arsenal
During the summer leading into the 2017–18 season, various clubs showed interest in signing the midfielder,[85] but by mid-August, Wenger confirmed that he had plans for him that season.[86][87] On 15 September, he made his first appearance for Arsenal since August 2016 as a substitute in the second half againstFC Köln in theEuropa League.[88] On 20 September, Wilshere made his first start in over 16 months againstDoncaster Rovers and played for the full 90 minutes.[89]
On 22 October, he played his first Premier League match of the season as a substitute in a 5–2 win overEverton atGoodison Park, assisting a goal forAaron Ramsey.[90] On 7 December, Wilshere scored his first Arsenal goal in 928 days as the Gunners defeatedBATE Borisov 6–0 in the Europa League.[91] Wilshere's performances in theEuropa League group stage and an injury to Ramsey saw him start in the Premier League for Arsenal for the first time since May 2016 in the team's 0–0 draw with West Ham United on 13 December 2017.[92] It was also the first time he had completed the full 90 minutes in the Premier League for the club since September 2014. On 3 January 2018, in his sixth consecutive Premier League start, Wilshere scored his first Premier League goal for two and a half years in a 2–2 home draw with London rivals Chelsea.[93]
On 19 June 2018, Wilshere announced that he would be leaving Arsenal, with his contract due to expire at the end of the month.[94]
Wilshere signed for Premier League club West Ham United on 9 July 2018 on a three-year contract.[95] He made his debut on 12 August in a 4–0 defeat to Liverpool.[96] On 27 August 2019, Wilshere scored his first and only goal for the club in a 2–0 win overNewport County in the2018–19 EFL Cup.[97] His contract was mutually terminated on 5 October 2020 with one year remaining, after spending two years at the club.[98] In just over two years, Wilshere made only 19 appearances for West Ham, including 16 in the Premier League. For much of his time with the club he was injured but, according to the player himself, often he was fit but was not picked to play. On his release, Wilshere said that he believed he could still play at the top level of English football.[99]
Bournemouth
On 18 January 2021, Wilshere returned to Bournemouth on a short-term contract.[100] The move came as a result of him training with the thenChampionship side since December 2020.[101] On 26 January, he scored in a 2–1 win overCrawley Town in theFA Cup, his first goal in any competition since 27 August 2019.[102] On 6 February, he scored his first league goal for AFC Bournemouth in a 3–2 victory over Birmingham City.[103] He was released by Bournemouth at the end of the season, having made 17 appearances and scored two goals in all competitions during his short-lived return to the club.[104]
AGF
On 20 February 2022, Wilshere signed forDanish Superliga clubAGF on an initial short-term contract until the end of the2021–22 season.[105] Having been without a club since his departure from Bournemouth, Wilshere had been training with former club Arsenal since October 2021, having also trained withSerie B clubComo previously.[106] AGF announced on 6 July that the club would not renew Wilshere's contract for the 2022–23 season.[107] Wilshere announced his retirement from football on 8 July, aged 30.[108]
Wilshere (right) making hisEngland debut againstHungary in 2010
On 7 August 2010, Wilshere was called up to the England senior team for the first time for their friendly againstHungary.[113] He made his England debut in the match played on 11 August 2010, coming on as an 83rd-minute substitute forSteven Gerrard.[114] This made him the 10th-youngest player ever to play for England, at the age of 18 years and 222 days.[115]
On 9 February 2011, Wilshere made his full England debut when he started in a friendly against Denmark.[116] He impressed despite playing in an unfamiliar role just in front of the defence, and was praised by manager Fabio Capello.[117] On 25 March 2011, Wilshere made his competitive debut for England in aUEFA Euro 2012 qualifier againstWales atCardiff'sMillennium Stadium.[118] He made one further appearance in the qualifying phase but missed the tournament finals due to injury.[119]
On 6 February 2013, Wilshere made his first start for England since 2011, having recovered from injury, and was named man-of-the-match as England beatBrazil 2–1 at Wembley Stadium.[120] Wilshere's performance was widely praised, including by managerRoy Hodgson, captain Steven Gerrard,Wayne Rooney andFrank Lampard.[121][122][123][124] He was part of England's squad for the2014 FIFA World Cup, coming on as a 73rd-minute substitute in England's openingGroup D match againstItaly.[125] He started the final group match againstCosta Rica,[126] with England already eliminated from the competition.[127]
Wilshere was awarded man of the match in six out of sevenUEFA Euro 2016 qualifying matches.[128][129] His first England goals came on his 28th appearance on 14 June 2015, in a UEFA Euro 2016 qualifying match away toSlovenia, netting two long-range strikes as they came from behind to win 3–2 at theStožice Stadium inLjubljana.[130]
Wilshere was selected for the 2018 friendlies in preparation for the2018 FIFA World Cup in Russia.[131] On 16 May 2018, he was left out ofGareth Southgate's squad for the tournament.[132]
Coaching career
On 11 July 2022, four days after announcing his retirement from playing, Wilshere was announced as the new head coach of theArsenal under-18 team.[133] He led the team to the final of the2022–23 FA Youth Cup in his first season in charge, in which they lost to the West Ham.[134]
On 23 October 2024, Wilshere left Arsenal to joinEFL Championship clubNorwich City as a first team coach, working under current head coachJohannes Hoff Thorup.[135] On 22 April 2025, he was named interim manager of the club, after Thorup was sacked and his assistantGlen Riddersholm also left the club.[136]
On 13 October 2025, Wilshere was appointed manager ofEFL League One club Luton Town.[137]
As a player, Wilshere was known for his movement, vision, passing and combination play, as well as his leadership on the pitch.[138][139][140] He was described by Arsène Wenger as having "Spanish technique, but an English heart."[141]Owen Coyle, the manager of Bolton during Wilshere's loan spell at the club, praised his ability to "tackle and take a knock", despite his lack of height. However, Arsenal head of youth developmentLiam Brady noted that Wilshere had problems with his temper early on in his career.[142]
Wilshere played in many different positions, including as anattacking midfielder, awinger, and most regularly, as adeep-lying central midfielder.[citation needed] Wenger has said that Wilshere was "a box-to-box player, more than just a holding midfielder".[citation needed] Wilshere's style of play was frequently compared to that of former Arsenal midfielder Liam Brady,[143][144] while Brady himself identified Wilshere as the latest in a line of technically gifted English players fromGlenn Hoddle to Wayne Rooney.[145]
Following his return from injury in the2012–13 season, Wilshere received praise for his performances and potential from a number of respected players:Barcelona and Brazil defenderDani Alves referred to Wilshere as "a great player", and compared his potential to that of Barcelona legendsAndrés Iniesta andXavi;[146] Former Manchester United and Germany midfielderBastian Schweinsteiger called Wilshere "one of the best players there are" at his position;[147] andBorussia Dortmund and Germany forwardMarco Reus hailed him as "a perfect player".[148]
Former Italy internationalGennaro Gattuso said of Wilshere: "He might be not super fast but he's got great skills, he's very technical. When he gets the ball he knows exactly where to send it... he has the mentality of an English player but plays like a Spanish player".[149] Despite his talent, he often struggled with injuries throughout his career, which is thought by pundits to have limited his potential.[150]
Personal life
Wilshere was arrested in the early hours of the morning on 29 August 2010 in connection with a "fracas".[151] However, it appeared Wilshere played the role of peacemaker, and so did not face charges but received a caution.[152]
On 26 September 2013, Wilshere's partner, Lauren Neal, gave birth to their second child.[153] Wilshere and Neal separated in 2014, and in 2017 he married Andriani Michael.[154]
Career statistics
Club
Appearances and goals by club, season and competition
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