Jack Wilshere’ ‘out of his comfort zone’ in first coaching role since shock Arsenal exit
JACK WILSHERE admits he’s been so busy in his new coaching role that he’s barely even had time for a haircut. The former Arsenal star joined the coaching staff at Championship side Norwich City last October. RexJack Wilshere has admitted the last few months have been a whirlwind since joining Norwich City as a coach[/caption] AlamyThe ex-Arsenal star left the Gunners academy to become a first-team coach with the Canaries[/caption] Wilshere, 33, left his academy position with the Gunners to take up the role at Carrow Road. The ex-England midfielder was forced to cut his playing career short due to persistent injuries. And he is so committed to the new position he’s barely had time to take in his new Norfolk surroundings. Wilshere told the BBC: “I’ve not had much time to go out in Norwich. “I got a haircut but apart from that, with the schedule being the way it has been, I haven’t had much time. “Growing up as a player, you were reminded a lot, ‘Don’t be in your comfort zone, don’t be in your comfort zone’, and that kind of always stuck with me.” Wilshere first met Norwich head coach Johannes Hoff Thorup while he played in Denmark for Aarhus. He continued: “I saw a few of his teams before, when I played in Denmark, so I sort of knew about him and the way he saw football. FOOTBALL FREE BETS AND SIGN UP DEALS “And then when I sat down and spoke with him, it was clear that this was the right step for me.” Wilshere earned 32 caps for England but never fulfilled his potential due to crippling injury issues. With his playing days now behind him, the former Arsenal midfielder is determined to carve out a career in management. Wilshere added: “My ambition – I’ve always been open about this – is to be a head coach at some point. “Now, of course, I don’t know how far that is away. “I’m humble enough to know that being the under-18 head coach and then stepping into first-team football as a head coach is a big step.” Arsenal player ratings vs Man City ARSENAL stunned Man City 5-1 at the Emirates on Sunday evening. It was an incredible result against their rivals of recent years. Here, we take a look at how the Gunners rated… David Raya – 7/10Had very little to do in the first half but made a brilliant save in the 22nd minute to deny a goalbound header from Josko Gvardiol. Made another stunning save two minutes from the half-time interval, stopping a deflected Savinho shot from close range. Powerless to stop Erling Haaland’s 55th-minute header from briefly levelling the scores. Jurrien Timber – 6Didn’t offer his usual attacking threat going forward but was solid defensively. Picked up a pointless yellow breaking up a harmless counter-attack in the 24th minute. Almost scored late in the second half. William Saliba – 5Didn’t have much to do in the first half but won all his aerial battles in the first 45 minutes. Marshalled the defence well early in the second period but was embarrassingly outjumped and outmuscled by Haaland for City’s equaliser – a major flaw of his that continues to be exposed. Gabriel Magalhaes – 6Like his defensive partner, he was seldom called into action in the first half. Dominant in the air in his battles with Haaland, who he trolled after Odegaard’s goal. Myles Lewis-Skelly – 8Continues to endear himself to the Emirates faithful with composure and tenacity beyond his years as he brilliantly floated between left back and midfield. Put real daylight between the two sides with a thumping finish just after the hour mark. This young lad is a real bright prospect for both the Gunners and England.His trolling of Haaland by copying the Norwegian’s ‘Lotus’ celebration went down a storm with fans. Thomas Partey – 7Steady in the heart of midfield and broke up play well when required. Fired the Gunners back into the lead in the 57th minute with a deflected shot from outside the box. Martin Odegaard – 7Was in the right place at the right time to benefit from the aftermath of an uncharacteristic Manuel Akanji error and break the deadlock. Was at the heart of everything good the north Londoners did going forward. Declan Rice – 6Combative, as always, in the middle of the park and played a role in the home side taking the lead, teeing up Havertz who squared the ball to Odegaard. Leandro Trossard – 6Was particularly lively on the left in the first half, giving Matheus Nunes a real run for his money. His end product, however, wasn’t the best. Gabriel Martinelli – 6Lively on the right wing in the early goings. Found the back of the net in the fifth minute after some beautiful play from Odegaard but was needlessly offside. Forced a good save out of Ortega with a rasping effort in the 68th minute. Kai Havertz – 6Lively early doors, testing Stefan Ortega with a t
JACK WILSHERE admits he’s been so busy in his new coaching role that he’s barely even had time for a haircut.
The former Arsenal star joined the coaching staff at Championship side Norwich City last October.
Wilshere, 33, left his academy position with the Gunners to take up the role at Carrow Road.
The ex-England midfielder was forced to cut his playing career short due to persistent injuries.
And he is so committed to the new position he’s barely had time to take in his new Norfolk surroundings.
Wilshere told the BBC: “I’ve not had much time to go out in Norwich.
“I got a haircut but apart from that, with the schedule being the way it has been, I haven’t had much time.
“Growing up as a player, you were reminded a lot, ‘Don’t be in your comfort zone, don’t be in your comfort zone’, and that kind of always stuck with me.”
Wilshere first met Norwich head coach Johannes Hoff Thorup while he played in Denmark for Aarhus.
He continued: “I saw a few of his teams before, when I played in Denmark, so I sort of knew about him and the way he saw football.
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“And then when I sat down and spoke with him, it was clear that this was the right step for me.”
Wilshere earned 32 caps for England but never fulfilled his potential due to crippling injury issues.
With his playing days now behind him, the former Arsenal midfielder is determined to carve out a career in management.
Wilshere added: “My ambition – I’ve always been open about this – is to be a head coach at some point.
“Now, of course, I don’t know how far that is away.
“I’m humble enough to know that being the under-18 head coach and then stepping into first-team football as a head coach is a big step.”
Arsenal player ratings vs Man City
ARSENAL stunned Man City 5-1 at the Emirates on Sunday evening.
It was an incredible result against their rivals of recent years.
Here, we take a look at how the Gunners rated…
David Raya – 7/10
Had very little to do in the first half but made a brilliant save in the 22nd minute to deny a goalbound header from Josko Gvardiol. Made another stunning save two minutes from the half-time interval, stopping a deflected Savinho shot from close range. Powerless to stop Erling Haaland’s 55th-minute header from briefly levelling the scores.
Jurrien Timber – 6
Didn’t offer his usual attacking threat going forward but was solid defensively. Picked up a pointless yellow breaking up a harmless counter-attack in the 24th minute. Almost scored late in the second half.
William Saliba – 5
Didn’t have much to do in the first half but won all his aerial battles in the first 45 minutes. Marshalled the defence well early in the second period but was embarrassingly outjumped and outmuscled by Haaland for City’s equaliser – a major flaw of his that continues to be exposed.
Gabriel Magalhaes – 6
Like his defensive partner, he was seldom called into action in the first half. Dominant in the air in his battles with Haaland, who he trolled after Odegaard’s goal.
Myles Lewis-Skelly – 8
Continues to endear himself to the Emirates faithful with composure and tenacity beyond his years as he brilliantly floated between left back and midfield. Put real daylight between the two sides with a thumping finish just after the hour mark. This young lad is a real bright prospect for both the Gunners and England.
His trolling of Haaland by copying the Norwegian’s ‘Lotus’ celebration went down a storm with fans.
Thomas Partey – 7
Steady in the heart of midfield and broke up play well when required. Fired the Gunners back into the lead in the 57th minute with a deflected shot from outside the box.
Martin Odegaard – 7
Was in the right place at the right time to benefit from the aftermath of an uncharacteristic Manuel Akanji error and break the deadlock. Was at the heart of everything good the north Londoners did going forward.
Declan Rice – 6
Combative, as always, in the middle of the park and played a role in the home side taking the lead, teeing up Havertz who squared the ball to Odegaard.
Leandro Trossard – 6
Was particularly lively on the left in the first half, giving Matheus Nunes a real run for his money. His end product, however, wasn’t the best.
Gabriel Martinelli – 6
Lively on the right wing in the early goings. Found the back of the net in the fifth minute after some beautiful play from Odegaard but was needlessly offside. Forced a good save out of Ortega with a rasping effort in the 68th minute.
Kai Havertz – 6
Lively early doors, testing Stefan Ortega with a tame shot in the first minute. Teed up Odegaard for a tap in a few moments later. Missed a golden opportunity to double the lead in the 25th minute, dragging the ball wide with the goal at his absolute mercy. Made amends for his howler by finishing an even harder chance in the 76th minute. He well and truly needed that as he looked absolutely devoid of confidence.
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Ethan Nwaneri – 83 (on for Trossard) – 7
Put the cherry on top of the cake with an outrageous effort in second-half stoppage time.
Mikel Merino – 83 (on for Odegaard) – 5
Raheem Sterling – 89 (on for Kai Havertz ) – N/A
Riccardo Calafiori 89 (on for Lewis-Skelly) – N/A
Read more on all the latest Arsenal news.
He continued: “Trying to grow [as a coach] and trying to develop a playing style and a culture in the club with a new manager and new technical director, it’s really exciting to be part of it.
“I’m really grateful to [Norwich Sporting Director Ben Knapper] and Johannes for giving me the opportunity to come and work with them.”
Norwich are currently in their third consecutive Championship season after relegation from the Premier League in 2022.
The Canaries currently sit 8th in the league, on the cusp of the playoffs.
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