Jack Wilshere said he would not have joined West Ham had it not been for the departure of Arsene Wenger from Arsenal, claiming his former manager would have ensured his place in the Gunners' first team.
The 26-year-old midfielder joined West Ham on a three-year deal in July, ending his 17-year association with Arsenal in the aftermath of Wenger's departure.
And Wilshere has said that Unai Emery's arrival as head coach altered his prospects in north London and convinced him it was time for a change.
"If Arsene had stayed I would have stayed because of the influence he had in my career and the trust he had in me," Wilshere told the Islington Gazette.