Wilshere on Arteta's Advice: 'Just jump and swim as best as you can'.

Debut as a Coach

According to The Sun: Jack Wilshere spoke about the advice Mikel Arteta gave him: 'Jump as best as you can', as Wilshere started his coaching career at Luton.

The 33-year-old former Arsenal player decided to give it a try at 'Hatters', who played in the Premier League two seasons ago but currently sit 11th in League One.

Arsenal coach Mikel Arteta gave Jack Wilshere important advice before his appointment as Luton Town coachDavid Price/Arsenal FC via Getty Images

Wilshere believes that his new role at Luton resembles a path Arteta took when he became Arsenal's coach in 2019, just on a different level.

He noted:

“I spoke to Mikel about a year ago and asked: 'When did you know you were ready?' He laughed and said: 'You just have to jump and swim as well as you can.'”

Wilshere is convinced that creating a sense of unity in the team is essential, as Arteta did at Arsenal.

Challenges in the New Role

Wilshere had previously led Norwich only twice unbeaten as interim coach in April and worked with the Arsenal U18 team from 2022 to 2024.

He emphasized:

“I feel very honored. I know this team. I started here. I’ve built a connection with them over the years and recently returned to training.”

Wilshere has now joined other former English internationals who became coaches, like Steven Gerrard and Frank Lampard, and is waiting for his debut in management against Mansfield.

Setting Priorities

Although some see Wilshere's appointment as risky, his new managing director Gary Sweet emphasized that in the last five years four of the eight appointed coaches in League One had no prior experience and all were promoted.

Wilshere wants to be judged not by his past as a player but by his abilities as a coach:

“I don’t want people to think about my playing career. I want to learn and be a better coach.”

Arteta and Wilshere played and worked together at ArsenalStuart MacFarlane/Arsenal FC via Getty Images Wilshere's debut as a coach at Luton promises to be exciting, both for him and for the team's fans. His shared experience with Mikel Arteta and his understanding of the importance of unity in the team give hope for a successful start. Time will tell how he handles the challenges in his new position and whether he can exceed expectations and prove his worth as a coach.