Former Arsenal player and current Luton manager, Jack Wilshere, recently gave an exclusive interview to the British media, discussing his career, Arsène Wenger's influence, his experience working with Arteta, his struggles with injuries, and his transition from player to coach. The following is the second part of that interview.

Related reading: Wilshere: I made mistakes when I was young, but I'm glad I met Wenger; playing against Barcelona was the peak of my career.

How frustrating were your injuries? I know it sounds like a cliché question, but it really occupied a large part of your football career.

Yes, it was truly devastating at the time. Looking back now, I no longer have the same resentment, because I genuinely love what I do today. If it weren't for those injuries, I might still be playing at 34. Players like Henderson and Welbeck, who played with me back then, are still going strong. I'm also sure Henderson will transition into coaching in the future. So, looking at it from another perspective, I'm lucky to have had the opportunity to start this new journey so early.

When did you realize you had to start planning for life after retirement? Because, as you said, you did leave the game quite early.

I got my UEFA B coaching license quite early in my playing career. I already enjoyed coaching then, but my main focus was still on playing. Later, I went to Bournemouth and started considering getting my A license. Towards the end of the A license course, I was in a period without a club. Edu from Arsenal called me and asked if I'd be willing to return to the Arsenal U18 team to continue my coaching education, while also training with the first team to stay fit and prepare for future opportunities. Of course, I accepted without hesitation.

Back then, I'd train with the first team in the mornings and witness Mikel's (Arteta) coaching style and the impact he had on the team firsthand. It was a coaching style I had never seen before. Eddie Howe had similarities, but Mikel was more focused, more demanding, and paid more attention to teaching players the details. This deeply fascinated me. Mikel and I had a good relationship, so I'd ask him many questions, inquiring why he made certain tactical arrangements. I truly started to fall in love with coaching, observing how he designed training sessions, and then in the afternoons, I had the opportunity to implement these methods with the U18 team. Honestly, I wasn't good at it initially; I had to re-learn everything...

You weren't good at coaching at first?

I had to grit my teeth and adapt; sometimes I even felt completely lost.

What made you uncomfortable?

I can't quite put my finger on it, perhaps because I had never experienced such a role before. And I have a very clear understanding of football, and I was greatly inspired by Mikel, but I had to learn how to teach. I had to learn how to accurately convey my ideas, how to plan training modules, and how to achieve the desired training results. All of this was a brand new challenge. Fortunately, I truly, truly enjoyed and loved the process. As a coach, you have to love it from the bottom of your heart, because it will consume all your energy.

In what ways did Mikel (Arteta) help you? Is there anything he said or shared with you that still stands out today?

Mainly in his tactical understanding of football. You know, I played for many years and worked with many excellent renowned coaches. Whatever they asked me to do, I would do it. I was indeed good at understanding the coach's intentions and executing them. But I had never really delved deeper into why the coach asked me to do that? What space would that create for other teammates? Mikel completely helped me clarify these tactical logics. At that stage of my career, coupled with our good relationship, it allowed me to naturally ask him about the meaning behind every detail, and he was very frank and shared everything with me without reservation.

He must feel very special seeing you become a coach now. You're like his protégé, aren't you?

Yes, I still talk to Mikel regularly.

Really?

Yes. Mikel had a huge impact on me, and I'm grateful for the time I spent with him. And when you witness and deeply believe in a certain philosophy, and then you leave and see them continue down that path and ultimately succeed, it strengthens my own conviction in my philosophy.

As an Arsenal fan, seeing their performance last season and the blueprint they're building, you must be incredibly proud and excited.

This is just their first step. If Mikel were completely honest, he'd probably admit they could have and should have achieved a breakthrough sooner. You can see how that regret transformed into such immense motivation, driving him to succeed last season. I'm genuinely happy for him, and for his coaching staff, who put in a huge amount of hard work and effort. And those young players, like Myles (Lewis-Skelly), Max Dowman...

Of course, you coached them.

Yes, I'm happy for them. They worked incredibly hard to get to where they are today, and they deserve it.

Max Dowman is very talented, isn't he?

Yes, he's a very good player. He played for my U18 team at thirteen, having skipped a grade.

That says it all, doesn't it?

Yes. I played for the U18s at fourteen. I remember calling my dad and saying, you have to come and watch this kid play. And my dad did go. You know, parents always have a filter when it comes to their own children, but even my dad admitted after watching: Yes, he's even better than you were at that age.

I also want to talk about your children. You have two older children and two younger ones. Is your eldest son playing in the Luton academy now?

Yes, he just signed with Luton. He earned his place through trials, step by step, and I'm incredibly proud of him.

To be fair, your youngest daughter is also a football talent, isn't she?

Yes, she's only eight, but she's improving every day. She genuinely loves the sport; she loves Luton, she loves football, and she's completely captivated by the World Cup.

A future England women's national team player.

Haha, a lot of potential and possibility.

That's really exciting. Her story is even more unusual because the past few years haven't been easy for her.

Yes, she had heart surgery. This condition isn't uncommon clinically, and initially, the doctors even missed it, but she did have a hole in her heart. As parents, facing something like that is extremely painful. The unknown fear is the most unbearable torment for any family going through it. But that experience taught me a lot. It taught me to accept the process. In that situation, all I could do was listen to the professionals and surgeons, and trust them and their medical plan wholeheartedly. The doctors' treatment was incredible, but that time was truly incredibly difficult.

When she eventually plays for England one day, with such an inspiring story, it will be even more admirable.

Yes, that would be an extraordinary growth story.

I also wanted to ask about your other son, Archie. It seems he also went through an extremely difficult period around 2015 or 2016? We sometimes overlook the family pressure that players and coaches have to endure off the field. Can you tell us what Archie went through back then?

Those days were truly grueling. Although it wasn't like open-heart surgery, he was my first child after all. He had epilepsy at the time. I once again found myself in a helpless situation. I remember being at home when I suddenly received a call from the school, saying an ambulance was on site and Archie had collapsed. He was only four at the time. Facing those changes was really difficult. But it teaches you a lot. There's always meaning behind all the hardships you experience in life.

Sitting here now, the whole family is healthy and happy.

Yes, they are all doing well and are healthy now.

That's great, that's the most important thing. We are now in the busiest part of the season. When we arranged this interview, I spoke with the press officer, and he said that Wednesday is usually your day off, but you still come to the club as usual. Does this reflect your coaching mentality? Can you detach yourself from football sometimes?

I think I still need to get better at that.

By the way, the staff member in the corner is shaking his head vigorously.

Yes, I really do need to improve in that area. Because family is equally important; my wife, children, and family are always irreplaceable.

So you've completely moved on from that playful, mischievous boy image of the past?

Yes, those days are long over, gone forever.

After becoming a coach, you really can't be so self-indulgent anymore; perhaps that's part of growing up...

Absolutely not. Even when we won the Championship, I only had one beer. Someone came over and asked if I wanted another, and I said we had a game on Wednesday, and I needed to start reviewing footage of Northampton. Life is just that realistic.

What would the Jack who suffered through the shadow of injuries think if he saw you today? Does this prove that no matter how many twists and turns there are, life ultimately gets better?

Yes, I think the most important thing is to keep pushing through. That's truly critical. Like a boxer, you're bound to get hit in the face, you'll face all sorts of adversity, but keep moving forward and always stick to what you believe in. That's more important than anything.

Jack, thank you very much for this interview.

Thank you.

AF's PC site is now live! Browse full news, comments, match details and stats on your computer. Visit: www.allfootballapp.com