• Football

  • Premier League

West Ham United News

News

  • News
  • Teams
  • Video
  • Fixtures
  • Results
  • Tables
  • Stats
  • Squad
  • Transfers
  • Sky Bet
  • Super 6
More from Football
  • Football Home
  • Premier League

Unai Emery says Jack Wilshere Arsenal decision was 'tactical and technical'

Arsenal boss did not raise injury fears over Wilshere

By James Dale

Last Updated: 13/07/18 6:02am

Jack Wilshere signed for West Ham on a free transfer after leaving Arsenal
Jack Wilshere signed for West Ham on a free transfer after leaving Arsenal

Unai Emery says he could not guarantee Jack Wilshere a starting role at Arsenal for "tactical and technical" reasons.

Wilshere explained his decision to end his 17-year association with Arsenal was because he had been informed by new head coach Emery his playing time would be "significantly reduced".

The 26-year-old revealed he even agreed to sign a financially reduced contract after several months of negotiations in order to commit his future to the club - and this remained when Emery succeeded Arsene Wenger as manager.

He has since signed for West Ham on a three-year deal.

Emery said he would prefer to keep his talks with Wilshere private, but explained his unwillingness to assure the midfielder of a place in his starting line-up.

"It was a tactical, technical decision," said Emery. "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 not sure [I could] say to him he's going to play in the XI.

2:40
Arsenal manager Unai Emery reveals his transfer plans - including details over Aaron Ramsey and Steven N'Zonzi
Arsenal manager Unai Emery reveals his transfer plans - including details over Aaron Ramsey and Steven N'Zonzi

"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 missed out on a place in Gareth Southgate's England squad for the World Cup despite making 38 appearances in all competitions last season and consistently maintaining he was "fit, sharp and strong".

Fantasy is back!

Fantasy just got real. Pick your Sky Sports Fantasy Football team for the new season here.

Also See:

  • Emery does not expect more signings
  • Transfer Centre LIVE!
  • Sullivan: More signings to come
  • Who is Matteo Guendouzi?

Trending

  • 1
    Sala's funeral takes place in Argentina
  • 2
    Analysing the F1 2019 cars
  • 3
    Gerrard: Forget about the title
  • 4
    'Sanchez has lost his hunger'
  • 5
    Sir Alex to manage United vs Bayern
  • 6
    Beckham looks on as Salford lose
  • 7
    Lampard delight for 'machine' Cole
  • 8
    Man City youngsters thrash Man Utd
  • 9
    Pep takes blame for Mahrez not playing
  • 10
    WATCH: Forestieri's high-five red
  • Video
  • Latest News
  • Home
  • Sports
    • Football
    • F1
    • Cricket
    • Rugby Union
    • Rugby League
    • Golf
    • Boxing
    • Tennis
    • Cycling
    • Racing
    • Darts
    • NFL
    • NBA
    • Motorsport
    • Netball
    • GAA
    • WWE
    • eSports
    • More Sports
  • Score Centre
  • Video
  • TV
  • Sky Bet
  • Games
  • More
    • Transfer Centre
    • Live on Sky
    • Get Sky Sports
    • TV Shows
    • TV Guide
    • Competitions
    • Sky Go
    • Now TV
    • Pub Finder
    • Team Sky
    • Sportswomen
    • Sports Scholarships
    • Clubs in Communities
    • Podcasts
    • Mobile
    • Twitter
    • Facebook
    • Living for Sport
    • Contact Us
    • Terms & Conditions
    • Sky.com
  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • Google+
  • Sky Sports
    • Get Sky Sports
    • Sky Sports Apps
    • Sportinglife.com
    • TEAMtalk.com
    • Football365.com
    • Team Sky
  • Partners
    • Sky Bet
    • Fantasy Football
    • Super 6
    • Sky Sports Pub Finder
    • Living for Sport
    • Planet Rugby
    • Golf365
    • Planet F1
    • Cricket365
  • Sky Sports Channels
    • Sky Sports Main Event
    • Sky Sports Premier League
    • Sky Sports Football
    • Sky Sports Cricket
    • Sky Sports Golf
    • Sky Sports Racing
    • Sky Sports F1
    • Sky Sports Action
    • Sky Sports Arena
    • Sky Sports News
    • Sky Sports Mix
  • More Sky Sites
    • Sky.com
    • Sky News
    • Sky Corporate
    • Sky For Businesses
    • Now TV
    • Sky Communal TV
    • Sky Academy
    • Bigger Picture
    • Store Locator
    • Work for Sky
    • Advertise With Us
    • Sky TV Accessories
  • Terms & Conditions
  • Privacy & Cookies Notice
  • Accessibility Information
  • Contact Us

©2019 Sky UK