Jack Wilshere has opened up on his relationships with some of Arsenal’s key players during his time at the Emirates Stadium.
The now Arsenal under-18s manager enjoyed a quick rise after coming through the Hale End Academy.
At 16, Jack Wilshere had already earned a place in Arsene Wenger’s squad and made his Premier League debut in the 2008-09 season.
It’s fair to say that Wilshere had some of the best in the business to learn from, with the likes of Cesc Fabregas and Samir Nasri starring in midfield for the Gunners at the time.
But while Wilshere says both Fabregas and Nasri were ‘really good’ for him during the early stages of his Arsenal career, he’s admitted that William Gallas was ‘difficult’.
Wilshere says Gallas ‘absolutely battered’ him at Arsenal
Speaking on Up Front with Simon Jordan, Wilshere discussed his relationships with Arsenal’s key players during his breakthrough season.
The former Gunners midfielder claimed that Bacary Sagna was like a ‘big brother’ to him. But his relationship with Gallas was less productive for him as a youngster.
He admitted: “But then you had William Gallas, who was difficult…”
Simon Jordan then asked: “Difficult in what way?”
“William hammered me a few times as a young player for giving the ball away,” Wilshere said. “One of my biggest fears about playing [was giving the ball away].
“I remember an FA Cup game, West Ham away, I was only 16 or 17, played on the left wing and I gave the ball away a few times and he absolutely battered me.
“I remember thinking I’m here now, this isn’t development, this isn’t you might make a few passes and give the ball away, this is reality.”
Later in the interview, Wilshere was then asked if Gallas’ approach with him as a youngster was ‘leadership’.
“No, I didn’t think so,” he responded. “I think he would’ve definitely said yes if you ask him now. He wouldn’t have done it just to dig me out or make me feel a certain way.
“But I felt like that’s probably that generation as well and you could get away with that more back then and players would respond to that more.”
When did Gallas join Arsenal?
Gallas arrived at Arsenal back in 2006 as part of a deal for Ashley Cole to join Chelsea.
The Blues snapped the Frenchman up for £6.2 million in 2001 before including him in a deal to sign Cole. He spent the next four years at the Emirates Stadium where he would also be named captain.
It’s certainly a surprise to hear that Wilshere didn’t have the best relationship with a player who was meant to be one of the leaders at the club.
But Gallas was no ordinary captain and his antics on and off the pitch eventually led to him being stripped of the armband in 2008.
Of course, he also joined Arsenal’s bitter rivals Tottenham after leaving on a free transfer in 2010, so he’s unlikely to be a popular figure at the Emirates.
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