In today’s episode, Joe Partington speaks with Jack Wilshere, ex-Arsenal player and current Danish Superliga club AGF midfielder.


Jack talks about his vast top-level experiences. Jack gave so much unbelievable knowledge, insight and tips to take your game to the next level. 


Tune in to the Jack Wilshere interview to listen to Jack sharing about talent and how it links to football, how to put in more work on and off the grass to make use of your talent and how you can gain confidence in football.


He also shares some amazing tips and stories to help manage things such as social media pressure, create a lifestyle that will keep you playing at the top level, how you can deal with injuries and going on loans in order to maintain high performance.

Intro: Jack Wilshere Career

After spending 10 years at Arsenal in which he was an important part of the 2 FA Cup wins, making over 200 appearances for the Gunners-including Man of The Match performances in the Uefa Champions League, Jack Wilshere spent a couple of seasons with West Ham United before joining FC Bournemouth. He is now currently a big part of the Championship side, which is currently trying to get back into the Premier League.

Jack has also been a huge player for England during his time playing for the national team. He made 34 appearances for the nation, including appearances in both Euros and the World Cup finals.


Jack’s talent is undoubtedly recognized across the world.

Jack is quite a unique talent that was discovered early in his age. His love for football paid off when his father noticed that he had something different in the game. Although the coaches also saw this, they never made him feel different but instead tried to give him an opportunity to push him towards greatness.


At 15, he started training with Arsenal’s first team. He later joined Bolton Wanderers on loan, a move he said helped him learn new things and also gave him the opportunity to play. This made him grow his confidence and even make his name known. 


In this Jack Wilshere podcast, Jack discusses Bouncing back from injuries, dealing with social media pressure and how to maximise your talent as a footballer.

Jack Wilshere Bouncing Back From Injuries & Dealing With Social Media Pressure

In this episode, Jack narrates his struggles with serious injuries that threatened his game, and how he managed to recover from them and maintain top standards. Although finding this consistency was challenging, it also depended on a manager’s trust to give him playtime to help him gain more confidence. 

In dealing with social media pressure, Jack accepts the fact that it is there and that there needs to be a support network that teaches players how to use social media and how to deal with the extra pressure it gives. 

Jack Wilshere Loan Moves & Transfers

Although there’s a lot of negativity surrounding loan moves, Jack says it’s always a great opportunity to learn new things when changing the surroundings and the environment. Even when you are dropping leagues, the move should never be seen as a negative thing as it gives you back the anger to play harder and prove a point to people. 

On his move to West Ham United, Jack Wilshere reveals that the decision was based on playing. He says that then Arsenal’s new manager Unai Emery seemed to have no plans with him. He, therefore, decided to move to West Ham where the manager really wanted him and even promised him to play.


These decisions are common and you have to look at all the facts and opinions and make the best decision for your long-term career.

Jack advises players in similar situations to just keep training well to grab the attention of the manager. Opportunities will definitely come in case of injuries. So, just remain professional and do the right thing. 

“I don’t think that it (loans) should ever be seen as a negative even if you have to drop a league or drop two leagues, you’re going out and learning something new.”

Jack Wilshere

After a short stay at West Ham, things didn’t go really well for Jack and he just wanted to leave and play elsewhere. Later, he opted to join FC Bournemouth and recalls bonding so well and quickly, getting the team spirit fast.


He says the team spirit at Bournemouth helped him avoid the situation where people could have thought that he was just about playing matches and not caring much about the whole team but Jack bounded with the whole team and had a brilliant experience at the club.

Although he started on the bench for the club, he built himself up and started playing regularly. Jack says he really had a great year and got himself back to a good level.

Jack Wilshere on Maximising Your Opportunities

Not everyone gets the opportunity to be discovered at a very young age. But this did not just happen. Jack put in more effort when playing the game that he loved the most as a child. This made him drive interest from top football clubs, later played with the Arsenal Academy team, which had top-level facilities, and everything that he needed to grow his talent.


At only 15, Jack made his debut for Arsenal and later stayed with the club for a decade. This period was full of stories and memories to tell, including his loan moves to Bolton, playing against FC Barcelona in the Champions League, winning 2 FA cups, and making over 200 appearances for the Gunners. Jack also played for West Ham United before joining FC Bournemouth.

“There were some big games that we won and there were some that we didn’t where we should have won. And that was difficult to accept but I got myself back to a level where I could have some influence in games.”

Jack Wilshere

Throughout his career, Jack has learned on capitalizing on what some football players think it’s a negative thing. From taking positively each loan move that he went, to changing his paying position for the team when the manager asks, to bouncing back from injuries and reaching his full potential once more.

Loan moves should always be taken as opportunities to play more and learn new things, even when you are dropping leagues. You just have to keep your focus and know where you want to get to.

Jack Wilshere

Jack Wilshere On Overcoming Injuries

In overcoming injuries his injuries, Jack advises players to eat right, and get the right training to help with recovery and healing.


It’s always challenging to come back from injury and keep consistency. However, if you put in more effort and just trust your manager to give you a chance, you can go back to the top-level if you play with confidence.

These are just some of the aspects that Jack Wilshere touches on in the episode. Tune in to get more insights on dealing with social media pressure, handling a situation where the manager doesn’t want you, and many more real-life issues facing football players.

Jack Wilshere Quickfire Questions

Best lessons from a player in Arsenal?

Fabregas- He was a guy who was not quick but what he did with his body and the football decisions he made were the best I’ve seen. He went strong, controlled games, was always aware of his surroundings, and made the right decision.

How best to deal with the pressure of modern-day social media

Don’t get carried away when things are going well, and don’t get too low when things aren’t going so well. Staying consistent and level headed is key.

Apart from Arsene Wenger, which other manager have you enjoyed working with?

Roy Hodgson. He played me where I wanted to play and brought the best out of me.

Best things to do to deal with suffering and recovering from injuries

Setting goals, staying focussed and driven on what you want to achieve and where you want to go with that.

In order to learn all about goal setting in football, check out our article & get the free goal setting video masterclass here

Best career performance

When he scored his two England goals against Slovenia.

The most important attributes players need to be successful in football now

Hard work in training and giving 110% every game.

Current career ambition

Short term: To get back in the premier league.

Long-term: Play at the highest level possible.

Advice to 16-year-old Jack Wilshere

Maintain your hunger for the game throughout good times and bad times.

E-perform Take Away Action Points

• It doesn’t matter whether you have a natural football talent. If you don’t work on it, it just not gonna happen. You have to eat right. You have to train right and grab the opportunities that present themselves.
• Don’t take loan moves negatively. They always present a great opportunity for playtime and learning new things.
• When you are not getting enough playtime, it’s always advisable to stay professional, keep playing and training well, do the right things, and put in more effort to grab the manager’s attention. Opportunities will just come.
• Social media pressure will always be there. Don’t get carried away when everything is working well. Similarly, don’t succumb to pressure when everything isn’t going your way. Keep your focus on your goals.
• To achieve your dream, you have to set goals, stay focused, and be driven.

Timestamps in this Episode:

[01:50] Where talent ranks in the attributes needed to be a successful footballer

[03:20] Realizing the need to put in more work

[07:09] Building up ambition from a young age

[08:37] First team training sessions at 15

[11:06] Building own football philosophy

[14:28] Finding the right position to play

[26:55] The current training sessions 

[27:57] Loan at Bolton Wanderers

[35:11] Gaining confidence

[39:36] Playing against Barcelona

[42:10] Football lifestyle at the top level

[45:22] Managing social media pressure

[52:00] Attaining top-level training standards

[56:28] Dealing with injuries

[01:01:16] Loan at Bournemouth

[01:03:30] Playing with a different mentality

[01:05:41] Negativity surrounding loan moves

[01:07:59] Leaving Arsenal for West Ham

[01:11:42] Possibility of moving abroad

[01:13:57] Leaving West Ham

[01:16:50] Importance of taking responsibility

[01:18:40] Quickfire questions

Notable Jack Wilshere Quotes

03:00 I do think that you are born with something and then you have to work it. If you don’t work it’s not just gonna happen. 

15:05  If the manager asks you to play somewhere, you have to do it. And that might be your opportunity. When your opportunity comes, you have to take it.

17:07  You have to have your philosophy as a club, as a team, but you have to be able to change that depending on whom you’re playing and what happens in the game.

29:02  I have always kept this with me throughout my whole career: wherever you go, it doesn’t matter who you are or what you have done, you’re not guaranteed to play. It’s a process.

31:28  You have to keep your identity of who you are as a player. But you have to learn and embrace new things.

41:16 Someone who I used to look at and base my game around was Iniesta. And then to be compared to him was nice.

53:09  You have to live right. You have to eat right. You have to get your training right and give yourself the best opportunity. For when the opportunity comes around, take it.

57:39  If I could give any advice it would probably be as simple as it sounds: Keep going because I did that. I kept going injury after injury. I kept working. I kept believing that I could come back.

01:04:42  There were some big games that we won and there were some that we didn’t where we should have won. And that was difficult to accept but I got myself back to a level where I could have some influence in games.

01:07:38  I don’t think that it (loans) should ever be seen as a negative even if you have to drop a league or drop two leagues, you’re going out and learning something new.

01:17:50  You might get a few coaches who will help you with that ( taking responsibility) but a lot of things are based around the team. Sometimes it’s difficult not to get caught up in that and forget about what you need and what you need to improve on.

“ I do think that you are born with something and then you have to work it. If you don’t work it’s not just gonna happen.”

Jack Wilshere: Useful Links and Resources

Connect with Jack Wilshere

Jack Wilshere (@jackwilshere) • Instagram photos and videos

Important articles

Footballers Workout: The Best Free Footballers Workout 2022 (PDF)

7 Steps For Successful Goal Setting In Football

Football Confidence: 9 Powerful Ways To Master Your Game

15 Key Soccer Skills – How to Achieve Success in Football | Ertheo

Four of the most common football injuries and how you can manage them (bupa.co.uk)

Jack Wilshere Frequently Asked Questions

How old is Wilshere?

Born on the 1st January 1992, Jack Wilshere is 30 years old.

How many England caps does Jack Wilshere have?

Jack Wilshere has 34 caps for England and scored 2 international goals for the country.

When was Jack Wilshere born?

JackWilshere was born on the 1st January 1992

How many times has Jack Wilshere been injured?

Jack Wilshere has been injured 16 times, 8 times with his ankle.

How old is Jack Wilshere?

Born on the 1st January 1992, Jack Wilshere is 30 years old.