Tuesday 1 November 2016 17:39, UK
Jack Wilshere admits being left out of Sam Allardyce's England squad was the spur he needed to join Bournemouth on loan from Arsenal.
The 24-year-old, who joined the Gunners aged 10, has played the full 90 minutes of the Cherries' last two Premier League games after a series of lengthy injuries prevented him from doing the same for Arsenal for two years.
The midfielder played more games for England than he did Arsenal last season, but told Sky Sports News HQ his axe from Allardyce's only squad as manager of the national team in late August forced him to accept his situation.
"When the England squad was announced and I wasn't in it, it hurt me," he said. "I want to be part of the England squad. I feel like I'm good enough, I can make a difference in the team and when I was left out, it sparked something in me.
"I thought 'I need a change. I need to be part of a team where I'm going to play week in, week out, be an important member of the team and make a difference.'
"The player I am and the character I am, to get the best out of me I need to feel responsibility and be part of a team that needs me, so that's the main reason I came - to play football and prove to everyone I can play week in, week out. My body can take it and at the moment, I'm feeling good and it looks like a good decision."
Wilshere will only have one year left on his Arsenal deal when he returns to the Emirates at the end of the season, but he insists his focus is on the south coast and not his future in north London.
"I don't want to think about that at the moment because I want to go back having had a good season - not just being fit, but I want to have an effect on the team," he added.
"I want to improve as a player and go back at the end of May and they can say he's a better player than when he left in September.
"I love Arsenal. I love the fans. The manager has been great to me and been a big part of my life from when I was 10 years old. I've got good friends there, players, the staff and people will laugh, but the physios too. I've become close with them.
"So I don't want to say I'm never going to go back there but at the same time, I'm not really thinking about that. My focus is helping Bournemouth climb the table and improving myself as a player."
Wilshere says he his confidence as a player is now returning on the back of two full games for Eddie Howe's side.
"I'm enjoying training every day," he added. "I'm feeling fit and confident and it's only just come in the last couple of weeks.
"When I first came here, I was excited and ready, but it took me a few games to get up to speed with the Premier League and in the game against Tottenham, I felt really fit.
"I can last 90 minutes, I can try different things on the pitch, my confidence is back and hopefully I can build on that now and get many more 90 minutes."
