Unai Emery has revealed the details of his conversation with Jack Wilshere that saw the midfielder ultimately decide to end his association with the club.
Having spent 17 years at Arsenal, Wilshere finally decided to leave this summer, joining West Ham on a free transfer after letting his contract expire.
The Gunners are thought to have offered the 26-year-old a new deal, but it was his discussion with newly appointed boss Unai Emery that convinced him to pursue a new path in his career, joining the team he supported as a child.
Emery has now revealed that he told the midfielder that he was not in his thoughts to be in the starting 11 having conducted a full overview of the squad before he even was appointed at the Emirates:
“It was a tactical, technical decision. The conversation with Wilshere was a very good conversation,” said Emery.
“I explained to him my opinion and how I wanted to create the team and I said to him I was unsure if he is going to play in the 11 players.
“I know this player is important for the supporters and grew up here in Arsenal, but I don’t give him a place in the starting 11 and it is for that reason he chose to leave here and I respect this.”
Emery also revealed that he hasn’t yet decided who will be the club’s captain, with his first Premier League game in just four weeks, kicking off against reigning champions Manchester City on August 12.
