Jack Wilshere says producing academy stars is even more important for Arsenal as transfer fees continue to rise.
Premier League clubs spent £2.8billion across the summer and January transfer windows this season, double the previous record of £1.4bn.
And Wilshere, whose Arsenal Under-18 side face Manchester City at Emirates Stadium tonight in the semi-finals of the FA Youth Cup, believes huge transfer fees mean it is crucial clubs produce their own talent.
“Arsenal are probably under a little bit more pressure because of the tradition that we have of bringing through good young players.
“That’s the key — good,” Wilshere told Standard Sport.
“Look at [Bukayo Saka]. He is arguably, in my opinion, England’s best player, England’s most dangerous player. He is affecting games in the Premier League. Really and truly — I am not going to put pressure on B, but if I did he would handle it anyway, because he’s the most humble kid in the world — is there a better winger than B at the minute?
“And he has come through our academy. That tells you how big the job is and how much pressure there is to put forward the next B.
“Then after that, who’s next? We have to look now. What’s in my team? The U17s, U16s, but what’s in the U14s, U13s? And that’s a big job for everyone to do.
“But with the vision of [academy manager] Per [Mertesacker], the way he sees things, I have no doubt that in a few years there will be the next one and then the next one.”
Wilshere took charge of Arsenal Under-18s last summer after retiring as a player and being inspired to coach by Mikel Arteta.
The former England midfielder, 31, has impressed in his first coaching role and Arsenal are aiming to the win the FA Youth Cup for the first time since 2009, when Wilshere was in the team.
There are high hopes at Arsenal for Amario Cozier-Duberry, Myles Lewis-Skelly, Lino Sousa and Ethan Nwaneri, who became the youngest player in Premier League history this season at the age of 15.
The Gunners face a tough test against a City side who are on a 13-game winning streak in all competitions. Their team includes Jaden Heskey, son of former England star Emile.
Several players from Arsenal’s current squad are looking to go into coaching one day, with Cedric Soares, Granit Xhaka, Mohamed Elneny and Rob Holding all doing their badges, and Wilshere says this is down to Arteta.
“There is no way if you want to be a coach and you are around Mikel and you see him coach, that you wouldn’t want to go and do your badges, there is no way,” said Wilshere.
“It is just the way he coaches and the passion that he has with it. It’s just inspiring. I think all of them - Granit especially - will be a top coach.”
