Arsenal manager Unai Emery has revealed that he had spoken with Jack Wilshere for a period of just 15 minutes before the midfielder decided to pursue a fresh challenge. The England international had been in a contract standoff with the Gunners over the past year and he eventually left them for West Ham United on a free transfer after his deal expired.

Speaking ahead of the Hammers game, Emery said: “I spoke with him for 15 minutes here in Colney before he left.The first thing for me is I have respect for his career here. And then, he chooses what the best was for him in his future. It’s for that, on Saturday, I know that here, the supporters like him and have this respect also.I think there is a good reception for him here. Then we are going to play and we are going to think after that, for us to win. But, I [hope] the best for his career.”

“Wilshere managed to overcome his long-term injury concerns over the past year .“but he nevertheless had some minor niggles which hampered him every now and then. As such, he could not make the England squad for the recent World Cup and that would have certainly brought a sense of disappointment, given he had worked to make up for the lost time.

At West Ham, Wilshere has not got off to the best of starts with average performances against Liverpool and Bournemouth respectively but he should seek to make a point against the Gunners this weekend. Prior to West Ham, Wilshere had spent his entire professional with the north London giants and the Saturday meeting would be the first time when the midfielder will play against them. Both West Ham and Arsenal have not opened their points tally for the campaign after back-to-back losses.