Jack Wilshere may only be 25 but he is already making plans for his post-playing days.

The Arsenal academy graduate completed the Football Association's Level Two coaching qualification last season and is now doing his UEFA B badge.

Wilshere spent 2016/17 on loan at Bournemouth and explained he first started doing the coaching training because the Cherries' lack of European football meant he had so much time on his hands.

“Last year when I was at Bournemouth, because they’re not in Europe and didn’t have a midweek game, it seemed like an opportunity [to start on my badges],” Wilshere told the Arsenal Podcast .

Wilshere is making plans already for his post playing career (
Image:
Arsenal FC)

“A few of the lads were talking about doing their Level Two [coaching badge] and I thought, I’m going to jump on it.

“I really enjoyed it, while I’m fit and playing and healthy I might not need it, but even if I’ve got another ten years left in me I don’t want to be at the end of my career and maybe have a year out and be thinking, what do I want to do…and then have to go through Level Two, UEFA B, UEFA A.

“I’m doing my UEFA B at the minute. Luckily I’ve got great facilities here at Arsenal, great players and the PFA and the FA have been great and really helpful. I’m going to complete that and then see what I want to do.”

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WIlshere also revealed he is doing his current UEFA badge with Arsenal captain Per Mertesacker, who will give up playing to become the head of Arsenal's academy next summer.

“It was Per’s idea," Wilshere continued. "I told him we’d done it at Bournemouth and we were chatting about it.

“He said, if you want to do it with me, I’m doing it. I was up for it. I think Per’s going to be great at that job [as Arsenal Academy Head]. He might need an assistant one day, you never know!

“He’s got that character, he’s a great captain even though he’s not playing [regularly]. He’s the most positive, he wants the team to do well and he’s a great example to young players.

“If you’re under-13 or under-14 coming through at Hale End he’s someone to look up to. I’m sure he’ll pass his knowledge on to them.”

Per Mertesacker is set to become the new head of Arsenal's academy in the summer (
Image:
Stuart MacFarlane)

Mertesacker, meanwhile, said he encouraged WIlshere to take on the challenge to help learn more about the game "and himself".

“I asked him if he wanted to join me in developing the coaching skills," said Mertesacker. "To start from the bottom to find out more about coaching and to change perspective a little bit.

“He was up for it, happy to do a little bit of extra, to get going. And to plan for something after his career, as well to improve, to change perspective, to learn more about the game and to learn more about himself.

“It’s helpful to see people in different environments and situations where you go together and improve together. I’m quite happy that we do it together and that I’m not on my own and that we can share information and share the work. Hopefully, we can improve and get our B Licence.”