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'Magnificent' Jack Wilshere will shine as West Ham's main man, says Arsenal great Ray Parlour

New Hammer | Wilshere joined West Ham from Arsenal on a free transfer: West Ham United via Getty Images
New Hammer | Wilshere joined West Ham from Arsenal on a free transfer: West Ham United via Getty Images

Arsenal great Ray Parlour has backed the “magnificent” Jack Wilshere to shine now he is set to take on a central role at West Ham.

Wilshere signed a three-year contract at the London Stadium earlier this month, rejecting interest from the likes of Turkish side Fenerbahce to sign with a side with whom he professes to have always had “a special bond” having grown up as a West Ham fan.

The 26-year-old opted not to sign a contract extension at Arsenal after new manager Unai Emery made clear to him that he would have to accept a reduced role.

Wilshere’s departure was met with a mixed reaction by many around Arsenal. A popular figure with fans and team-mates the playmaker had struggled to replicate the remarkable impact he made as a teenager after a string of injuries.

However Parlour and former Gunners team-mate Nigel Winterburn, speaking at the launch of Arsenal Legends match against Real Madrid to raise money for the club’s foundations, are convinced that West Ham have made an astute signing.

"Jack Wilshere has made a big decision and it was his to make,” Parlour said. “He met the manager and realised he might have been third or fourth in the pecking order.

"As a player who has missed so much football he needs to play.

"West Ham have got a very good signing there. We always look at his his fitness record but if he can stay fit we all know how good he is. That is what West Ham have to manage now.

"I'm gutted that he's left because I would love to see him still in an Arsenal shirt but I'm really pleased he's gone to a club to play football because there is nothing worse than training hard all week and then sitting in the stands.

"He is going to be their main man in midfield and will get a lot of game time.

"He is a magnificent player - there are only two players I've seen as youngsters come straight through to the first-team that I have thought 'these are going to be top, top stars'. One was Jack and the other Cesc Fabregas.”

Wilshere is believed to have accepted a pay cut to move from Arsenal to West Ham, though the Gunners were prepared to offer him an extension without any guarantees of regular first team football.

"It's refreshing,” Winterburn added. “I would have loved him to stay but when you talk about players at big clubs being on the bench but not moving on because of the salary they are on, we are seeing a player here who is desperate to play football.

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"If Jack had stayed I still think he would have got a lot of game time here.”

Emery revealed earlier this month that in talks with Wilshere over his future he had told the Arsenal academy product that he would not be able to guarantee him a place in the starting XI, prompting Wilshere to opt against signing an extension.

The Spaniard’s predecessor Arsene Wenger had expressed a desire for Wilshere to stay but it was no surprise to Winterburn that Emery opted to move on from the playmaker.

"When a new manager comes to a club there are always surprises and players leaving,” said Winterburn.

"If he hadn't had all the injuries he's had he probably would have stayed and said 'I'll show you what I'm capable of doing, I'll force my way into the team' but when you have missed that amount of football you have to do something to get games.”

Arsenal Legends v Real Madrid Legends, Emirates Stadium, Saturday 8th September (kick-off 2pm). To buy tickets visit arsenal.com