Jack Wilshere says guiding Arsenal’s Under-18s to the final of the FA Youth Cup is one of the best moments of his football career – and heralded the job first-team boss Mikel Arteta has done in helping the club’s youngsters to raise their level.
Wilshere, who now manages the Gunners’ youth team, had Myles Lewis-Skelly’s late extra-time winner to thank as his side progressed to the final by beating Man City 2-1.
And the former Arsenal midfielder says it ranks among the best days of his career across both playing and coaching.
“It’s obviously fresh, but that feeling. I can’t even explain what it feels like, that moment. Relief, joy, love for the players, emotions, everything,” he said.
“For me right now, it feels like one of the top moments of my career. Obviously I am a young coach, but as a player as well, it feels like it’s up there definitely.”
Michal Rosiak had given Arsenal an early lead and a red card for City’s Laklye Samuel meant the Gunners had a man advantage for the majority of the game.
But Justin Oboavwoduo equalised for the away side in the second half to take the game to extra time before Lewis-Skelly ensured it was Arsenal who progressed.
“Thinking back to my days as a player, it’s in the Arsenal DNA,” Wilshere added.
“When you walk around the training ground you see ‘never give up’, ‘play until the end’, quotes from Arsene (Wenger). When you play for Arsenal you fight until the end.
“I think Mikel (Arteta) has done a top, top job of turning that, using that, and building on that, and getting this winning feeling throughout the whole club.
“I’ve said so many times before, if the first team keep raising the bar, we have to, otherwise the gap becomes too big. We have to keep pushing and we did that tonight.
“This team keep doing it.”
