Jack Wilshere reveals reason for choosing Bournemouth move

Jack Wilshere believes that Bournemouth is the best place to continue his football development after joining the Cherries on a season-long loan from Arsenal on transfer deadline day. The Gunners midfielder was one of the biggest draws on the final day of the summer transfer window with a number of clubs vying for his services in England and abroad.

The England international has been plagued by injuries in recent seasons and played only three times in the Premier League for Arsenal last season after suffering a fracture just prior to the start of the campaign. He had dropped down the pecking order at the Emirates Stadium and was unlikely to be a regular member of the starting XI, with Mesut Ozil, Aaron Ramsey, Granit Xhaka, Santi Cazorla and Mohamed Elneny ahead of him for a midfield role.

Arsene Wenger was keen on the midfielder playing on a regular basis to build fitness and remain injury-free. The 24-year-old midfielder will also be keen to play on a regular basis to get back in reckoning for both club and country, after he was snubbed by England manager Sam Allardyce for the Three Lions' upcoming World Cup qualifier against Slovakia.

"I'm delighted to have joined Bournemouth on a season- long loan and would like to thank everyone at the club for making me feel so welcome," Wilshere wrote alongside an image of him standing beside Eddie Howe, on his official Instagram account.

"I had a good chat with the manager and feel sure that this is the best place for me to play and develop this season. I am looking forward to working hard every day with the coaching staff and my new teammates to help the club achieve success on the pitch. Thanks for all of your support as always," he added.

The Cherries manager also expressed his delight at capturing a player of Wilshere's calibre and indicated that the Arsenal star will be a regular starter if he can prove his fitness. Benik Afobe, who joined Bournemouth in January, is a former Arsenal youth team player and Wilshere's best friend, he is said to have played a role in convincing the midfielder to choose a move to Dean Court over other options which included Crystal Palace and AS Roma.

"Naturally it helps when you know someone and can ask someone for an honest opinion on things. Hopefully Benik spoke positively about us, well, I'm sure he did! It can only help your chances," Howe said, as quoted by the London Evening Standard.

"I don't want to overplay it, we're delighted he chose us. We'll wait and see when he'll play, hopefully as soon as possible but I don't want to set any targets.

"A high-profile name, someone who's regarded as the very best in his position, can only help the players we have. We would never promise game-time to a player but I expect with Jack's quality, if he's fit he'll be in the team," the Cherries boss added.