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Evening Standard
Evening Standard
Sport
Malik Ouzia

Jack Wilshere rules out early retirement despite starting coaches badges at Arsenal academy

Jack Wilshere says he is determined to continue his playing career, despite starting work on his coaching badges while training with Arsenal.

Wilshere is back at his former club building fitness, having been released by Bournemouth at the end of last season.

The 29-year-old has also been working with former teammate Per Mertesacker, who heads up the Gunners’ academy, but insists coaching is something for later in his career.

“At the moment I am doing my coaching badges and the club is helping me with them and I am helping some of the Academy kids out as well,” Wilshere told Sky Sports News.

“It is certainly something I enjoy and maybe something to look at in the future but for now I still want to play.

“I feel like I still have a lot to give and something to prove which is why I don’t want to finish playing now and start a coaching career just yet.

“It’s nice to be back seeing some old faces who I spent a lot of my life with.

“Fitness-wise I am getting there and it’s great to be back training with good players and the quality is only going to be beneficial for me moving forward.

“I’m there [at Arsenal] until January and there’s no news on any clubs but hopefully something will come up then.”

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