'Another proper Arsenal man gone!' Wilshere lambasts Arsenal for sacking influential youth coach

Stefan Bienkowski

Updated: 22 Jun 2021 18:16 BST
3 min read

© ProShots - Wilshere was good enough to grace Barca or Madrid, claims Fabregas

Former Arsenal midfielder Jack Wilshere has lambasted the club’s decision to let youth coach Steve Bould leave after 33 years of service.

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Bould joined Arsenal as a player in 1988 when he made the transfer from Stoke City, before going on to make over 300 appearances for the club across 11 years.

Following his retirement from playing in 2000, Bould then took up a coaching role at Arsenal and has remained at the club ever since then in a number of different first team and youth roles.

However on Tuesday Arsenal drew a line under that remarkable service to the club by confirming news that Bould would be leaving this summer.

Why is Bould leaving Arsenal?

“We are massively grateful to Steve for everything,” said Arsenal technical director Edu in a club statement.

“He has helped develop so many top professionals and his experience and character has had a huge impact.

“I would like to add my thanks for his contribution and wish him and his family well for the future.”

However, as amiable as that may sound, a report in the Evening standard has suggested that Bould has been pushed out of the club as a consequence of internal restructuring.

And that may explain why Wilshere took such an exception to the news of Bould finally leaving the club.

In a tweet posted shortly after Arsenal confirmed the news, Wilshere said: “Can't believe it. Another proper Arsenal man gone! What is going on??

“What a coach and what a guy...All the best, Bouldy.”

Can't believe it. Another proper Arsenal man gone! What is going on??
What a coach and what a guy...
All the best bouldy https://t.co/8WAqe1W2lm
— Jack Wilshere (@JackWilshere) June 22, 2021

Could more follow Bould out the door at Arsenal this summer?

While it seems as though Mikel Arteta’s job at the Emirates is safe for now, this coming transfer window will undoubtedly be a busy one for Arsenal.

The club could see a number of back-up players like Saed Kolasinac, Lucas Torreira and Matteo Guendouzi all move on in the coming months.

Similarly, high-profile stars like Alexandre Lacazette, Bern Leno and Hector Bellerin have all been consistently linked with moves away and could be sold if the right offer comes in for them.