Jack Wilshere Biography
Jack Andrew Wilshere is a brilliant young attacking midfielder who plays left-footed and who, despite being only 17 years old, is a possible inclusion in England’s 2010 World Cup Squad.
Born in Stevenage in Hertfordshire in January 1992, Wilshere first came to prominence in the sport when he captained his Priory Year 9 squad to the National Cup semi-finals and he hasn’t looked back since. Known for the ease with which he scores goals, he now plays for Arsenal and wears their number 19 shirt.
In October 2001, Wilshere joined the Arsenal Academy when he was only 9 years old and had been made captain of the U-16 squad by the time he was 15. In 2007, he played in the Champions Youth Cup and started for the U-18s for the first time in their game against Chelsea. His first goal for Arsenal was scored in the U-18’s match against Aston Villa and, by later scoring a hat-trick against Watford, he was instrumental in assisting the Arsenal U-18s to win the Academy Group A title.
February 2008 saw him debut for the Arsenal Reserves against Reading and score the only goal of the match. The Player of the Tournament title came his way for his participation in the U-16’s Atlanta Cup win and he also assisted in his club’s 2009 FA Youth Club win by scoring two goals in the semi-finals. He was also awarded the man-of-the-match title for his efforts in the 2009 FA Youth Club final in view of his assisting with two goals and scoring one himself.
Also in 2008, he debuted for Arsenal’s senior squad as a half-time substitute against Barnet and later scored his first goal for the squad against Burgenland. His Premier League Debut was in the 2008-09 season in Arsenal’s September 2008 match against Blackburn Rovers as an 84th-minute substitute. He was Arsenal’s youngest ever player, being only 16 years and 256 days old at the time. His first Premier League goal came in late September during the Arsenal / Sheffield United match in the Football League Cup.
In November 2008, at 16, he played his first match in the UEFA Champions League, against Dynamo Kiyv, and January 2009 saw him sign his first professional contract, which was extended that July. His latest honor is being awarded man-of-the-match for his contribution to Arsenal’s win against Scotland’s Rangers in the 2009 Emirates Cup.
Wilshere’s international debut came in 2006 when he was only 14 years old and England chose to play him in a higher age group by putting him in the England National U-16 squad. By 15, he had progressed to the U-17 squad and played in the 2009 UEFA European U-17 Football Championship where he started two games. He debuted as a substitute for the English U-21 squad later in 2009 in a friendly game against The Netherlands and England’s manager, Fabio Capello, has indicated that he may be moved up to the senior side for the 2010 World Cup in South Africa.