Jack Wilshere Reveals “Awkward” Conversation That Led To Him Becoming Arsenal’s No.10

By The Editor
on 23rd December 2021

Former Arsenal star Jack Wilshere reveals how he changed shirt numbers in 2012…

Former Arsenal midfielder Jack Wilshere revealed that an “awkward” conversation with Arsene Wenger in the summer of 2012 led to him taking the club’s infamous No.10 shirt, he said on talkSPORT.

Wilshere donned the No.19 shirt upon his promotion to the first team ahead of the 2010/11 season – a campaign in which the former England international announced himself to the world.

He was called up by the national team for his full England cap and ended the season being named the PFA Young Player of the Year.

It was supposed to be the start of a glittering career, but fate followed. Wilshere would spend the entire following campaign recovering from a stress fracture in his ankle.

That season, much of the talk was dominated by the future of Robin Van Persie as he netted 37 times in all competitions to drag us to third place and secure automatic qualification for the Champions League.

It was then, Wilshere narrates, that he approached Wenger to have an awkward exchange about potentially changing his shirt number.

“No, I asked for it,” Wilshere said when asked if he was given the No.10 jersey.

“There were rumours, it was awkward actually, about him (Van Persie) leaving for United.

“I didn’t know what was happening, I didn’t know what was going on but I went to see the manager and said: ‘I’m not sure what’s happening with Robin, I don’t really wanna know and that’s now why I’m coming here. If he does go, can I have the No.10?’

“He went, ‘yeah, cool’.”

Luckily for Jack, he was soon back on the pitch and had, appearance-wise, one of his best campaigns for us.

The 29-year-old would keep hold of the shirt until 2018 when he suddenly departed the club after many thought he’d agreed on an extension.

Wilshere is now back at London Colney training with the first team while also coaching the development squads as he acquires his badges.

Check out the video below as Wilshere narrates the “awkward” conversation he had with Arsene Wenger.

🤩 “To wear Bergkamp’s number was a dream come true. Joe Cole wore 10 too.”

👏 “Cole & Beckham were my favourite players growing up, but I was never going to wear number 7, was I?”

Jack Wilshere reveals why he asked Arsene Wenger for the Number 10 shirt at Arsenal pic.twitter.com/NONBwUhzI8

— talkSPORT (@talkSPORT) December 23, 2021