MIKEL ARTETA is certain that Jack Wilshere will join his Arsenal coaching staff when his playing career is finally over.
Wilshere, 30, has just signed for Danish club Aarhus after ten months without a club.
Arteta has backed Wilshere to return to Arsenal one day as a coach
Wilshere left Arsenal after training with his former club to join Danish side AGF this week
And Arteta insists that the former Gunners favourite has rediscovered his appetite for the game while training with his young Arsenal players to regain his fitness.
Wilshere, 30, has signed a six month contract with Aarhus with the option of a further year.
But Arteta is convinced that his former Arsenal team-mate will eventually return to London Colney for the next phase of his career.
He said: “First of all, can I say thanks to Jack for all the time he has been with us because it’s been an absolute pleasure to have him back and to enjoy watching him play again.
“He has been an inspiration for all the young players here and hopefully we have helped him a bit because he had some doubts about whether to start coaching or to continue playing.
“But I think this group of players have given him the necessity to experience again on a daily basis how magnificent it is to feel like a football player.
“Jack has come a long way since we were playing together for Arsenal but I don’t think he will ever lose the spontaneity that he has, the character and all the funny moments that he produced.
“That is part of Jack but obviously he has matured a lot as the years have gone by and we wish him the best of luck.”
And asked whether he can see Wilshere returning as a future Arsenal coach, Arteta said: “100 percent.
“Everybody at the club will be willing to open the doors for him and try to find a role for him that can work for everybody.
“I think that will happen naturally in the future.”
