Jack Wilshere is the English footballer who predominately plays in the midfield for Arsenal Football Club. He is widely regarded as one of the most promising young talents in English football and has already represented the international team at the very top level. Jack Wilshere initially joined the Arsenal academy aged just nine years old in 2001. In doing so, Jack Wilson joined the ranks of Arsenal FC, which is very well known for importing youngsters from foreign countries. His progress was immense such that he was rewarded with the captain’s armband for the Arsenal FC under 16 side.

He did not take long for him to make the grade into the under 18’s and soon he was playing for the Arsenal FC reserve team. The debut for the Arsenal reserves came at the age of 16 for Jack Wilshere, which made him extremely vulnerable to the interest from other clubs. However, Arsenal soon noticed the immense talent within the youngster and soon promoted him to the first team. Given the obvious lack of English talent within the Arsenal academy, Jack Wilshere was praised as the brilliant kid who was capable of matching the foreign players in terms of skill and stamina.

Jack Wilshere played a major role in Arsenal FC winning the FA Youth Cup in 2009, which soon prompted the comments about the youngster from first team manager Arsene Wenger. Jack Wilshere started playing for the first team from July 2008 onwards, but they were mostly in friendlies. He made the squad for the first team the following season and was given the shirt number 19, which he wears till date. He made his first team debut for Arsenal in the match against Blackburn Rovers. In doing so, Jack Wilshere also became the youngest ever player to represent Arsenal in a competitive match. The previous record was held by current captain Cesc Fabregas.

Wilshere continued his tremendous increase within the ranks by scoring in the match against Sheffield United in the League Cup. He also soon made his debut in the Champions League aged just 16. This became another record, as no other player has made his debut aged just 16.

The impressive performances saw was rewarded with a contract from Arsenal, which Jack Wilshere signed the very same year. The 2009-2010 season saw Jack Wilshere get more playing time in the form of loan move to Bolton Wanderers. Even though he spent only six months at Bolton, the experience he gained was incredibly valuable, as explained by the player himself. The 2010-2011 season is probably the best season of Jack Wilshere’s career, as he made plenty of appearances for the first team. Jack Wilshere has also made his professional debut for the England national team. So far, he has presented at the Three Lions in five appearances, and he is regarded as the natural successor for Frank Lampard.

Individually, Jack Wilshere won the 2010-2011 PFA Young Player of the Year award, while he was also featured in the 2010-2011 PFA Team of the Year.