Arsenal face academy MELTDOWN after Wilshere exit

Cameron Smith

22 Oct 2024 17:00 BST
4 min read

Jack Wilshere has agreed to leave his role as Arsenal U18 head coach in order to join Johannes Hoff Thorup’s backroom staff at Norwich City.

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The 32-year-old is set to start work at Norwich on Thursday, with the former Gunners midfielder replacing Narcis Pelach, who left Carrow Road to become Stoke City’s head coach last month.

Wilshere has spent the past two years in charge of Arsenal’s U18 side and news of his imminent departure hasn’t gone down well amongst those in the Gunners’ academy.

As per The Athletic, Wilshere’s decision to leave the club has been met with shock, with many frustrated that Arsenal failed to make a concerted effort to retain the 32-year-old.

Furthermore, the report states that Max Dowman’s family are extremely disappointed by Wilshere’s exit.

Dowman became the youngest ever player to score in the UEFA Youth League earlier this season, at the age of just 14 years, eight months and 19 days old, while he is also the youngest player to feature in the U18 Premier League, aged just 13.

Wilshere has played a key role in Dowman’s development at Arsenal and the Gunners could now risk losing the teenager when his schoolboy terms expire in 2026.

Last week, Mikel Arteta was full of praise for Wilshere, admitting to the media: “He’s been great. Everyone knows about his career, about his character and he’s a really special personality.

“His attachments to the football club are unique. He has this aura and charisma and a way of connecting with people.

© IMAGO - Max Dowman (left) is one of Arsenal's most promising academy stars

“He’s been an inspiration for the kids because of his history, what he did and how he did it.”

However, Arsenal are now on the verge of losing Wilshere and their academy could face some serious repercussions as a result.

What has been said?

Norwich are yet to formally announce the addition of Wilshere, although Thorup has all but confirmed his arrival.

He told BBC Radio Norfolk: “We have to make sure we have people in the building that would be interesting for other clubs.

© IMAGO - Jack Wilshere is set to to join Norwich

“We are about to build something special, and an environment and a culture and way of playing that is exciting, so people want to be here.

“And people from outside look at the people here and that's a good connection to have because it creates some interest and it creates some excitement and that's what we want.”