A lot as been made about Jack Wilshere’s decision to leave Arsenal this summer in search of more regular game time, but the majority are in agreement that it was the right decision for the midfielder to make in order to rejuvenate his career.

The midfielder was reportedly willing to take a pay cut in order to remain at the Emirates beyond his 17 year tenure, but in the end the decision ultimately came down to him not being promised enough game time by new manager Unai Emery.

Wilshere admits that it was always his intention to remain as an Arsenal player, but says he believes siging for the Hammers on a three-year contract was the right thing to do.

“I was at home,” Wilshere said via Evening Standard.

“I had come out of the meeting with the new manager a few days before and I did not want to make rash decision. I wanted to weigh things up, look at the pros and cons and take a few days to speak to my family.

“I could have stayed but the decision was based on football. I want to be in a team where I am important and play a big role, and I did not feel I had that at Arsenal.”

Wilshere did however admit that things may have been a lot different had Arsene Wenger still been in charge at the Emirates, going on to say: “He was the biggest factor in my life at Arsenal. When he left I wanted to see if he thought I should stay or leave and we had a few conversations.

“They were going to bring players in and there is a new manager who I did not really know. It would have been different if Arsene was there.

“The year before when Arsene said to me that I could leave the club, I knew Arsene, I knew he had trust in me and I knew that he would play me if I performed well in training. This year was different.

“It was a bit of a risk because I did not have anything lined up, so I was going into the unknown.

“I still have respect for Arsenal and love for the club. I hope they do well and start challenging again. But it was the right time for me to leave.”