Jack Wilshere opens up on Arsenal years, Arteta bond and his children's footballing journeys in BBC interview
Wilshere joins Kelly Somers for in-depth BBC Sounds conversation
Luton Town manager Jack Wilshere is the latest guest on The Football Interview, sitting down with presenter Kelly Somers for an in-depth BBC Sounds conversation that charts his remarkable journey through the game — from Arsenal academy prodigy to the dugout at Kenilworth Road.
The episode, available to stream now, opens with Wilshere reflecting on his early years at Arsenal, where he came through the ranks and broke into the first team as a 16-year-old, establishing himself as one of the most naturally gifted young English midfielders of his generation. An FA Cup winner with the Gunners and an England international who earned more than 30 senior caps, Wilshere saw his playing career curtailed by persistent injury problems and hung up his boots in 2022.
The making of a coach
The discussion then turns to what made Wilshere want to start coaching and the beginnings of his career on the touchline. Having spent almost his entire life inside professional football environments, the former midfielder explains what drew him towards working with players after retiring, and how those first steps in coaching have informed his approach in his current role as manager of Luton Town.
The Arteta connection
Another key segment focuses on Wilshere's relationship with Mikel Arteta. The pair first crossed paths during their overlapping spells as Arsenal players, with Arteta having since established himself as one of the Premier League's most prominent managers at the Emirates Stadium. Wilshere speaks candidly about that bond and what it has meant for his own development in the game.
The next generation
The conversation closes on a personal note, with the final segment dedicated to Wilshere's children and their own footballing journeys. For a player who was thrust into the Arsenal spotlight as a teenager, watching his kids take their first steps in the game offers a fresh perspective on football — one he shares with Somers in the closing minutes of the episode.
How to listen
The full interview is available on BBC Sounds, with timecodes marking the key moments:
- 02:45 — Early years at Arsenal
- 05:50 — Highlights
- 08:40 — Start of coaching career
- 12:00 — Relationship with Mikel Arteta
- 14:30 — Jack's kids on their own football path