Arsenal news: New manager Unai Emery says letting Jack Wilshere leave was ‘tactical’ decision
The midfielder had been with the club since the age of nine
Unai Emery has explained he allowed Jack Wilshere to leave because his place in the starting XI couldn't be guaranteed and had nothing to do with his injury record.
The midfielder had been with Arsenal since he was nine, but decided to leave when his contract expired and joined London rivals West Ham.
Emery, who succeeded Arsene Wenger as manager, was keen to keep details of the conversation private.
"It was a tactical, technical decision," the Spaniard said. "The conversation with Wilshere was a very good conversation. I explained to him my opinion and how I will want to create the team and I couldn’t say for sure to him he's going to play in the XI.
“Also he explained to me the decision is not easy for him but he wanted to choose the best option for him. Every time it was with respect.
"I know this player is very important for the supporters, he grew up here with Arsenal. But I don't give for him one post in the starting XI. It's for that he chose to leave here and I respect this."
Wilshere may have left but the Emery revealed he wants Aaron Ramsey to stay. The midfielder is one of four key players with a year left on their contract.
"I’m very happy with him,” he added. “For me, every day, every training session, he has the ambition I want. He’s working with a quality, the type of ability that I want. I want to work with him. In my opinion, I’ve said to [chief executive] Ivan [Gazidis], Raul [Sanllehi, head of football relations] and Sven [Mislintat, head of recruitment] that I think he’s an important player for me.”
Already, the club have made five signings, with Bernd Leno, Lucas Torreira, Sokratis Papastathopoulos, Stephan Lichtsteiner and Matteo Guendouzi.