Jack Wilshere leaves the club after two years as academy coach while Arteta struggle with injury concerns ahead of Liverpool.
Arsenal are set to face league leaders Liverpool on Sunday in one of the most significant match of the season. A match that could have severe implications on the title race. Arsenal are in desperate need of a victory that could keep their title hopes alive. As Paul Merson said earlier this day “If Arsenal lose against Liverpool, They’re out of the title race”. Yes that would be the only thought running around in Arteta’s mind. Arsenal went in search of some confidence in the midweek against Shakhtar but had to settle for a scrapy 1-0 victory. They also picked up an injury to one of their key players on the way.
In a separate story former Arsenal star and one of their own Jack Wilshere decided to leave the Arsenal youth head coach position in order to pursue a coach position at Championship side Norwich City. A huge leap for the former England International, taking up his first job at senior level. He also left a lovely message to his assistant Adam Birchal who is succeeding him at that position.
ARSENAL INJURY BLOW
Another huge injury blow for Mikel Arteta as one of their key players got injured in the midweek against Shakhtar. New signing Riccardo Calafiori was seen limping off the pitch with suspected knee problem. The Italian seemed alright after a slip which led to him falling on his knees. But then he wasn’t able to continue and was quickly replaced by eighteen year old Myles Lewis Skelly.
It was not the best of the performance for the Gunners but they just got the job done thanks to 29th minute own goal from Shakhtar keeper Dmytro Riznyk. So it seems like Riccardo Calafiori is going to miss the titanic clash on Sunday alongside the suspended William Saliba. There is going to be a huge defensive dilemma for Mikel Arteta. Jurien Timber missed the last three matches, Calafiori with a suspected injury and Saliba suspended. There is only a few options left for him. Coming on with revamped defense for such an important fixture is not something Arteta would have wished for. In addition to that Bukayo Saka has missed the last couple of fixtures and Martin Odegaard is going to be a huge miss.
It is problems after problems for Mikel Arteta and this poses and different challenge in their hands. A test that could determine a lot of things in the title race.
JACK WILSHERE LEAVES ARSENAL
Arsenal say good bye to one of their own and a club legend Jack Wilshere as he leaves the club. The former England international was the head coach of the Gunners youth team for the past two years. He leaves now to take up role at Championship side Norwich City. This would be his debut with a senior side and a step up for his coaching dreams. He will be joining the backroom staff of head coach Johannes Hoff Thorup. The position is designated as first team coach.
Anyway a step up for the Arsenal legend even though he needed to leave his beloved club. Wilshere joined them in 2022 as their U-18 head coach making an instant impact as he led them to the FA youth cup in his first season. The 32 year old was a Gunners academy graduate back in the days and became huge role model for the young players.
The Arsenal academy manager and former club captain Per Mertesacker said that : “Jack’s development as a coach over the past two seasons has been really impressive. Jack has represented Arsenal in the best possible way, both as a player and in his role as an academy coach.
Jack has not only been a role model for our younger generation on the pitch – showing the young players the skills required at the highest level, but has also demonstrated every day how to be the best possible person.” extracted taken from the official Arsenal FC website.
He also added that Arsenal as a club were so proud to be a positive part of his coaching career.
For more sports updates, make sure to follow us on:
