Jack Wilshere opens up on how different Ethan Nwaneri and Myles Lewis-Skelly were in Arsenal's youth ranks… and why he knew they were destined to play for the senior team

Jack Wilshere has lifted the lid on his time as Arsenal’s Under-18s coach, opening up on how two of the Gunners’ brightest young stars fared in the youth academy.

Ethan Nwaneri, 17, and Myles Lewis-Skelly, 18, have both enjoyed breakout seasons under Mikel Arteta this campaign, having not long ago been coached by former Arsenal midfielder Wilshere at U18 level.

Wilshere, who since October 2024 has worked as a first-team coach for Championship club Norwich, started his youth role at Arsenal just four days after calling time on his playing career in 2022.

Now, the former England international, 33, is working towards his Uefa Pro Licence, with his eyes firmly on taking up management one day.

While speaking to the Independent about the importance of his time as a coach at Arsenal, Wilshere reflected on how impressive Nwaneri and Lewis-Skelly were at a young age.

‘Of course their ability, like they could pick the ball up in any situation, that is under-15s, under-16s, under-18s, and make something happen,’ he told the newspaper.

He opened up on how different Ethan Nwaneri and Myles Lewis-Skelly were in Arsenal’s youth ranks – and insisted he knew the dynamic duo would one day play for Mikel Arteta’s senior side

Both Nwaneri (left) and Lewis-Skelly (right) are enjoying breakout season at the Emirates

‘But, more importantly, Ethan and Myles are very team-orientated, and Myles more of a natural leader, and he wants to bring everyone with him, whereas Ethan was just really driven, and really, “what do I need to do?” He’d come and seek advice.

‘And now in the world we live, with social media and all this, I think it’s harder, and you see some players get distracted by that. 

‘Ethan and Myles were never like that, they were just “I know where I want to get to, what I want to do”, and they’ve done it.’ 

Nwaneri and Lewis-Skelly have both chalked up 29 appearances across all competitions for Arteta’s senior side this campaign, with the 17-year-old winger playing more in the Premier League and the defender featuring more frequently in the Champions League so far.

Wilshere himself was an Arsenal youngster who broke on to the scene during his teenage years, making his competitive Premier League debut against Blackburn as a 16-year-old in 2008.

Unfortunately, Wilshere’s career was plagued with a multitude of injury setbacks, which led to his eventual retirement as a player at Danish club AGF in 2022, following spells at West Ham and Bournemouth.

Opening up on his decision to leave Arsenal’s U18s for Norwich last year, Wilshere added: ‘I had a decision to make, whether I was going to hold on at Arsenal a little bit to try and get something as a head coach, or whether I was going to go and get into a first-team environment, where I’ve got a head coach who sees the game really similar.

‘And I’m enjoying watching [Norwich boss Johannes Hoff Thorup] as well, watching him, how he delivers to the players, how he sets up the team, how he sets up a week. 

He described Nwaneri (above) as ‘really driven’, while Lewis-Skelly is more of a ‘natural leader’

‘All these things that you’re involved in as a player, but it’s completely different when you’re the guy who’s leading it and trying to create something.’

Arsenal’s next test comes in the Premier League against Fulham at the Emirates on April 1, before an away clash at Everton’s Goodison Park four days later.

Meanwhile, Norwich take on playoff hopefuls West Brom in the Championship on March 29 following the international break.