On This Day 2010: Jack Wilshere joins Bolton

Jack Andrew Garry Wilshere was born on New Year's Day, 1992, in Stevenage.

Wilshere came up through Arsenal's youth academy and impressed from an early age. He made his first team debut in 2008, becoming Arsenal's youngest ever league debutant at the age of 16 years, 256 days.

He joined the Arsenal Academy in October 2001 at the age of nine, after a short spell in the Luton Town youth programme.

He quickly rose through the ranks, and at the age of 15 was named the captain of the under-16s; he also made a few appearances for the Under-18s.

Arsenal manager Arsène Wenger gave Wilshere a place in Arsenal's first team squad for the 2008-09 season, and the player made his competitive debut in a Premier League match against Blackburn Rovers at Ewood Park in September 2008, as an 84th-minute substitute for Robin van Persie.

At the age of 16 years and 256 days, he was Arsenal's youngest-ever league debutante, a record previously held by Cesc Fàbregas.

Ten days later, on 23 September, Wilshere scored his first competitive Arsenal goal in a 6-0 victory against Sheffield United in the Football League Cup.

On 25 November 2008, Wilshere came on as a substitute in a UEFA Champions League match against Dynamo Kyiv, becoming the fifth sixteen-year-old to ever play in the Champions League.

In January 2009 Wilshere signed his first professional contract, extending it in July the same year.

Speculation arose in 2010 that Wilshere was to leave Arsenal on loan. Rumour had it that he was to join Owen Coyle at Burnley, such was the manager's reputation for helping young players progress within the game. Plans changed when Coyle moved to Bolton Wanderers soon after.

Unsurprisingly, on 29 January 2010, Wilshere joined Bolton Wanderers on loan until the end of the 2009-10 season.

He made his first league start for Bolton in the away defeat at Manchester City on 9 February, and scored his first Bolton goal, his first in the Premier League, in March 2010 in the 2-1 victory away at West Ham United.

He impressed at Bolton and they tried, unsuccessfully, to sign him on loan for another season, which is unsurprising.

Wilshere kicked on, upon his return to Arsenal, and soon became an integral member of their midfield.

He has also stated his ambition to captain both Arsenal and England, and has been tipped by Wenger for both roles.

Such was his progress, in August 2010, Wilshere was called up to the England senior squad for the first time for their friendly against Hungary.

He made his England debut in the match played on 11 August 2010, coming on as an 83rd minute substitute for Steven Gerrard, making Wilshere the 10th youngest player ever to play for the English national team.

He is considered one of the great hopes for England heading into the 2014 World Cup in Brazil.

Honours

Arsenal
Premier Academy League : 2008-09
FA Youth Cup : 2008-09

International
Victory Shield : 2006, 2007

Individual
PFA Young Player of the Year : 2010-11
PFA Premier League Team of the Year : 2010-11
Arsenal Player of the Season : 2010-11

Career Statistics