Former Arsenal starlet names who was the main ‘inspiration’ at Hale End, he’s still having an impact today

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The Arsenal academy has produced a lot of talent over the years, and some have reached exceptional levels both in North London and elsewhere.

Bukayo Saka is the best success story to come out of Hale End in a long time, as the Arsenal and England star has established himself as one of the best players in the world after coming up through the ranks.

Several players in and around his age group have also made the first team including Eddie Nketiah and Emile Smith Rowe, but both players could depart this summer.

When they came through the ranks, they played alongside winger Nathan Tella, who was released in 2017 and eventually succeeded at Southampton and Burnley, before joining Bayer Leverkusen last year.

Tella won the Bundesliga alongside Granit Xhaka, but he has now named a different former Arsenal midfielder as an inspiration to him and those around him.

Nathan Tella says Jack Wilshere was an “inspiration” to Arsenal youngsters

Speaking to Rising Ballers on YouTube, Tella claimed that former Arsenal midfielder, and current under-18 coach Jack Wilshere inspired him and his academy teammates after the way he broke into the team under Arsene Wenger.

“I think the main one was Jack Wilshere, cause he was you know he was the next one who got through into the first team from a young age,” Tella stated.

“He did the whole journey through Hale End, and got through, made his debut and was in the first team. I think a lot of younger players looked at him as an inspiration, to be the next one to get through.

“I think a lot of players wanted to be like that.”

Jack Wilshere is now inspiring the next generation of Arsenal talents

Wilshere was a generational talent when he broke into the first team under Wenger, with his performance against Barcelona in the Champions League in 2011 living long in the memory.

Injuries stopped Wilshere from reaching his true potential, but when he first broke through after helping win the FA Youth Cup in 2009, he was a prodigal talent who immediately stood out alongside the likes of Cesc Fabregas and Robin van Persie.

Wilshere is now managing the under-18 side, and helped his team reach the Youth Cup final again in 2023. There are several top young talents under his tutelage right now, and he will hope to develop some into eventual first-team stars.