- Shaun O’Connor discovered Jack Wilshere and has a big reputation at Arsenal
- He is to be promoted as senior scout under head of recruitment Sven Mislintat
- O’Connor played a role in talent-spotting Alex Iwobi and Chuba Akpom
- Wilshere is keen on signing a new Gunners deal and pushing for World Cup spot
The man who discovered Jack Wilshere, Shaun O’Connor, is in line for a promotion as Arsenal shake-up their recruitment team.
The Gunners are in the middle of a scouting revamp, led by new head of recruitment Sven Mislintat.
And O’Connor is in line to be handed the role of senior scout.
Jack Wilshere is one of the players Shaun O’Connor is credited with unearthing at Arsenal
O’Connor is currently recruitment co-ordinator for Arsenal’s academy but will now be responsible for identifying domestic talent for the first team.
The highly-respected scout, who rejoined the Gunners in 2014 after a four-year spell with Brentford as their head of academy recruitment, is credited with identifying Wilshere. He also played a role in talent-spotting Alex Iwobi, Chris Willock and Chuba Akpom.
The expected promotion is one of a host of changes to Arsenal’s recruitment contingent that has seen long-term chief scout Steve Rowley leave.
The influence of French-based scout Gilles Grimandi has grown in recent months.
The future of head of international recruitment Francis Cagigao remains uncertain, however, with the Spaniard attracting interest from rival clubs.
Chuba Akpom is another youngster to have been discovered by the super-scout
Meanwhile, Wilshere has confirmed his desire to sign a new deal.
Sportsmail revealed earlier this month that it was the midfielder’s preference to stay despite the club not offering him an extension to his current deal that expires in summer.
‘This is where I want to be, this is where I see myself in the future,’ said Wilshere. ‘Whether I will be and whether things sort themselves out then we will see in the next couple of weeks I suppose but I definitely want to be here.’
And Wilshere, who has regained his place in Arsene Wenger’s starting XI, is backing himself to break into Gareth Southgate’s World Cup squad.
‘I think I can push for an England recall, I think I have proved to myself that I can play in the Premier League, I trust my body again and I am confident going into games that I can affect them.’
Wilshere has reiterated his desire to remain at Arsenal and push for an England place
