Arsenal icon hails Wilshere as he admits Under-18s boss has proved him wrong

The 31-year-old took charge of the Gunners' Under-18s last summer after hanging up his boots as a result of numerous injury problems.

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And the two-time FA Cup winner, who came up through the ranks in north London, has excelled in his first year of coaching.

Wilshere has taken his youngsters to the final of the FA Youth Cup, where they host London rivals West Ham at the Emirates on Tuesday night.

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It is the first time Arsenal have reached the final since losing to Chelsea in 2018, while they are bidding to win the competition for the first time since 2009 - when Wilshere was part of the squad.

Few would have expected him to have made such an immediate impact, with ex-teammate Mertesacker admitting he wasn't sure if Wilshere had what it took to be a manager.

Hailing his role, the 2014 World Cup winner told The Guardian: "I was probably thinking he will not make that transition, but he proved me wrong in that sense.

"I had a perception about him, playing and being super-talented but probably not fulfilling his potential because of all the injuries.

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"But then with him switching it to 'I'm committed, I'm working hard, I'm learning, I'm ready to train with the first team and coach the academy teams in the evening.'

"That's where I've thought 'If he can do that for half a year…'

"And he's done that pretty consistently. I think he has shown me enough commitment and consistency to transition well."

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Mertsesacker, who retired in 2018 at the age of 33, also stressed how he was desperate for Wilshere to impress in his interview for the U18s manager in front of a panel that included first team boss Mikel Arteta.

He remarked: "I was praying that Jack would turn up for the interview and be himself. That was a moment when the truth comes.

"It was brilliant to see him presenting himself, what he stands for, what he wants to be like, what coach he wants to be, how he wants to play."

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Affectionately dubbed as the 'Big Friendly German' by Arsenal fans, Mertesacker also revealed how Arteta played a huge role in him staying on at the club after he called time on his playing days.

The Spaniard is alleged to have left a note for then-Arsenal chief executive Ivan Gazidis to keep Mertesacker on in any capacity.