Jack Wilshere claims that Arsenal actually sacked Arsène Wenger | OneFootball

Jack Wilshere has claimed that Arsène Wenger was actually sacked by Arsenal last season, rather than leaving of his own volition.

The Frenchman revealed in April that he was to leave the north London club after 22 years – telling fans and the media that he was “stepping down” following another disappointing campaign.

But Wilshere, who left the Emirates this summer for West Ham, has indicated that Wenger was actually pushed out by the Arsenal board.

“I was in the last year of my contract, and I spoke with the manager at the time, Arsène Wenger, and he said that they won’t be offering me a new deal and that I could leave,” he told the BBC.

“But at the time I was injured and it was difficult, because I wasn’t fit and I wasn’t playing, and not many teams wanted me injured.

“So I decided to stay and I got back into the team and they finally offered me a deal in January which was ready to sign, and then Arsène got sacked.

“It was strange, everyone was just shocked and Per Mertesacker, the captain, said a few words, and I think everyone was just in shock.

“It was strange. No-one really saw it coming, but it changed everything, and I wanted to wait to speak to the new manager. And I did, and he was brilliant, he was honest with me.

“He said you can stay, but you won’t be in my starting XI, so I thought it was the right time to finally leave.”