Create an array out of string

Is there a way I can create an array based from a string value? I need to create a "<a href='editProfile.php?id=1'>Edit Profile</a>" value from anchor("url => 'editProfile.php?id=1, text => 'Edit Profile''");. anchor btw is a function which encapsulates the thing I need.

Thanks in advance.

Nevermind, I'll just pass it as parameter of the function. I'm so stupid. :(