Jack Wilshere has revealed he is still hoping to continue his playing career, despite recently starting his coaching badges at former club Arsenal.
The former England international is currently without a club after leaving Championship side Bournemouth at the end of the season, having joined the Cherries on a short-term deal in January.
Prior to that, the 29-year-old had spent a brief period out of the game having called time on his two-year stint at West Ham in October 2020, ending his contract by mutual consent with a year left on his deal with the Hammers.
His time at the London Stadium had largely been impacted by injury, making just 19 appearances during his time in east London.
He had joined the club after ending his long association with Arsenal in 2018, yet he is now back where it all began, having returned to train with Mikel Arteta’s side as he seeks his next step in a playing career that has seen him make 34 senior appearances for his country.
Speaking about the return of the midfielder last week, current Gunners boss – and Wilshere’s former teammate – Arteta revealed the club are keen to help their former star get back on track as he begins his coaching badges.
“We sat down with him and we listened to what he wanted to do and what stage he is and we are prepared to do anything we can to help him,” Arteta said.
“He is going to be training sometimes with us, he is going to be around the place, he is going to be continuing his coaching badges that he is very interested in, try to get him fit, try to get his experiences across to our players, our young players, our academy and I think it is great influence to have around.”
Wilshere though – who made 197 appearances for the north London club after making his debut in 2008 – has maintained that his desire is to still continue his playing career.
“At the moment I am doing my coaching badges and the club is helping me with them and I am helping some of the Academy kids out as well,” Wilshere told Sky Sports News.
“It is certainly something I enjoy and maybe something to look at in the future but for now I still want to play.
“I feel like I still have a lot to give and something to prove which is why I don’t want to finish playing now and start a coaching career just yet.”
