Jack Wilshere has heaped praise on Mikel Arteta for his work behind the scenes at Arsenal.
Since hanging up his boots in 2022, Jack Wilshere has worked as the Under-18s manager at Arsenal.
It’s meant that the former Gunners midfielder has witnessed Arsenal’s transformation under Mikel Arteta first-hand.
The Spaniard now has his side competing for the biggest honours in club football after consecutive eighth-placed finishes in his first two seasons at the club.
Arsenal were a side lacking real identity when Arteta took over from Unai Emery in November 2019. But five years down the line, they arguably play the best football in the Premier League.
And Wilshere has suggested that is down to Arteta’s relentless commitment to coaching his players behind the scenes at London Colney.
Wilshere on what he’s noticed about Arteta at Arsenal
The academy manager has been speaking on Up Front with Simon Jordan and was asked to give his opinion on Arteta as a coach.
“You know Mikel, he’s so intense and he cares so much,” Wilshere said. “He’s on the grass, he’s active, he’s taking sessions. He’s stopping it and coaching.
“That’s one thing that impressed me so much with Mikel when I went in. So, I had Arsene for the majority of my career, Eddie [Howe] was a little bit different. Roy Hodgson was a bit different. But I saw Mikel, I’d never experienced coaching like that since the academy, like almost stop, what do you see? What are the solutions? Really breaking down the game and he’s the best at that, in my opinion, stopping it and trying to help them see the solutions.”
Simon Jordan then asked Wilshere if he believes Arteta will deliver a Premier League title at Arsenal.
“I think he can,” he responded. “Yes [he will], eventually. Whether that’s this season, next season, whenever that is, I think the steps they have made and the thing is whenever I see Mikel, he’s getting more intense and more passionate… He’s so focused.
“The Aubameyang thing, he understood that and that’s probably the best thing for the team and he was right. Because everyone was going no one is going to catch City or Liverpool.
“Now, all of a sudden, we’re in the conversation and we’re getting stronger in my opinion.”
Arteta’s record as Arsenal manager
Since lifting an FA Cup in his first season at Arsenal, it’s fair to say there have been highs and lows for Arteta.
The Spaniard came under fire after a poor start to the season during the 2021-22 campaign. But the Gunners have gone from strength to strength since.
During his five years at Arsenal, the former Manchester City assistant boss has picked up 132 wins in 219 games in the dugout.
Despite recent claims that staff believe he could do with ‘toning down’ his honesty at times, his methods are clearly working for Arsenal.
With the north Londoners currently leading the way in the Premier League and a quarter-final Champions League clash against Bayern Munich just around the corner, you can’t help but feel Arteta is on the verge of delivering success.
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