Jack Wilshere: It would have been different if Wenger stayed

It still feels uncomfortable calling Jack Wilshere a ‘former’ Arsenal man, but the former Gunners’ midfielder has spoken out about leaving the club.

Wilshere joined West Ham earlier this month after failing to sign a new contract at the Emirates.

A three-year contract was on the table but the 26-year-old knew he would have a reduced role in the team under Emery and so instead opted to start a new chapter in his career.

Now Wilshere has revealed that Arsene Wenger was one of the first people he spoke to after deciding to leave the Emirates.

Wilshere says he still loves Arsenal

“He was the biggest factor in my life at Arsenal,” says the midfielder (via Evening Standard). “When he left I wanted to see if he thought I should stay or leave and we had a few conversations.

“Obviously he did not have any loyalty to Arsenal any more and he could tell me what he thought as a football man. He said it was down to me and how I felt because only I could come to that decision. I thought it was only right that I told him first.”

Wilshere is one of seven new summer signings at West Ham, who have spent close to £100million to bring in players including Brazilian midfielder Felipe Anderson and Ukraine striker Andriy Yarmolenko.