Unai Emery reveals details of chat he had with Jack Wilshere which led to the midfielder leaving Arsenal

Unai Emery has opened up on the conversation he had with Jack Wilshere that convinced the midfielder it was time to leave Arsenal.

Wilshere moved to West Ham on a free transfer when his contract expired last week, parting company with his boyhood club after 17 years.

Prior to leaving the 26-year-old made it very clear he wanted to stay at Arsenal, and was even prepared to take a significant pay cut to do so.

But Wilshere claimed that a chat with new Gunners boss Emery, in which the Spaniard explained to him he didn’t see him as a first team regular, forced him to change his mind.

Opening up on that conversation, Emery said: “It was a tactical, technical decision.

“The conversation with Wilshere was a very good conversation, very directly together.

“I explained to him my opinion and how I wanted to create the team and that I said to him I was unsure if he is going to play in the XI players.

“He explained to me the decision is not easy for him but he wanted to chose the best option for him and every time it is with respect.

“I know this player here is important for the supporters and grew up here in Arsenal but I don’t give him one place in the starting XI and it is for that [reason] he choose to leave here and I respect also this.”

Emery has made five first team signings this summer since taking over from Arsene Wenger, who stepped down last season after 22 years.

The Spaniard has brought in Stephan Lichtsteiner, Sokratis Papastathopoulos, Bernd Leno, Lucas Torreira and Matteo Guendouzi.