Jack Wilshere has revealed that he’s already undertaking his UEFA B coaching badges at Arsenal having completed the FA’s Level Two coaching qualification while on loan at Bournemouth.

The England international confirmed he made use of the extra time off between matches at the Vitality Stadium to make a start on a possible future career on the training ground and says he’s lucky to have had the support of so many people inside the game, including Arsenal captain Per Mertesacker.

“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 Weekly Podcast.

“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.”

Inspired by Per Mertesacker to keep studying, Wilshere also joked that the World Cup winner, who is due to take over as head of Arsenal’s Academy in the summer, might one day need an assistant.

“It was Per’s idea. 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.”

For his part, Mertesacker says he’s pleased to have Jack’s company and thinks the pair of them undertaking their B Licence together is a good opportunity to get a new perspective of the game.

Also speaking to the Arsenal Weekly Podcast, Per said: “I asked him if he wanted to join me in developing the coaching skills. 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.”