At the time of writing, Jack Wilshere has recently left his position as interim head coach of Norwich City. Reports have suggested that the former midfielder is keen to continue his coaching career and as such, it can be easy to forget that Wilshere is just 33 years old, especially as he has been retired since 2022.
A midfielder, Wilshere became one of the youngest-ever players to represent Arsenal when he debuted for the Gunners in 2008. Injuries started to niggle at Wilshere early in his career, but he still showcased brilliance, not only with his evident potential but with the displays he would put in for the team, such as his masterclass against Barcelona in 2011 at just 19 years of age.
Wilshere spent a decade at Arsenal, though the injury issues he had early in his career only intensified as Wilshere aged, unfortunately for the midfielder. Wilshere departed North London in 2018, joining West Ham United. After two further years of being blighted by more injuries, the Hammers released WIlshere in 2020.
Short stints with Bournemouth and Danish side AGF followed before Wilshere brought his playing career to an end in 2022, aged 30. It was a shame to see such a promising talent consistently damaged by injury, though WIlshere may well soon find himself in a new coaching role which at least offers him a connection to football.
Jack Wilshere Club Career Stats
Playing Career
Appearances
Goals
Assists
Yellow Cards
Straight Red Cards
Major Honours Won
Wilshere has shared numerous footballing opinions in recent years, such as when speaking to SPORTbible via Reddit, he revealed which player possessed the most skill of all who he shared a pitch with.
‘What A Player’
Nothing but praise from Wilshere for former Arsenal man
Predominantly throughout his time at the Emirates Stadium, Wilshere played alongside some incredible talents. When asked which of his former teammates was the most skilful, Wilshere simply responded by saying:
“Santi Cazorla. What a player.”
Santi Cazorla, at the time of writing, is still playing at 40 years old, plying his trade in his native Spain for his boyhood club Oviedo. The Spaniard, who represented his country internationally for over a decade, started his senior career with Villarreal in 2003. He joined Recreativo Huelva in 2006 but after just one year, returned to Villarreal.
Cazorla’s second Villarreal departure came in 2011 when he moved to Malaga but once again, the midfielder would spend just a season with his new club before transferring somewhere else. Arsenal signed Cazorla in 2012 and he would spend six years with the Gunners, helping them win the 2014 FA Cup to end their nine-year trophy drought.
Injuries hampered Cazorla’s final years with Arsenal and in truth, it is amazing that he was able to continue his career. The Spaniard returned to Villarreal for a third time, departing in 2020 for Qatari side Al Sadd before signing for Oviedo in 2023.
Cazorla is fondly remembered by Arsenal fans, both for his impact in helping the club win major silverware once again and for his incredible technicality as a player. For Wilshere to dub him as the most skilful player he ever played with is exceedingly high praise, given some of the talent that the Englishman played alongside.
( All stats are from Transfermarkt and are correct as of 20/06/2025 )
Jack Wilshere Related
Jack Wilshere Surprisingly Named 2 West Ham Icons as His 3 'Idols' Growing Up
Wilshere grew up idolising a pair of West Ham legends who claimed a European trophy together.