Wilshere: Howe’s the reason I joined Bournemouth

Bournemouth newboy Jack Wilshere has revealed a huge contributing factor in his switch to the south coast from Arsenal was based on a conversation with Cherries boss Eddie Howe earlier this week.

The England midfielder has suffered two injury-hit campaigns but since returning to full fitness in the summer he has seen his route back into the Arsenal first team blocked by the likes of new signing Granit Xhaka.

He was a substitute for Arsene Wenger’s men against Leicester City and then against Watford but he looked rusty in both cameo appearances.

Wilshere sealed a shock move to Bournemouth on the final day of the transfer window to team up with lifelong-friend and former Gunner Benik Afobe.

And the attacking midfielder hopes his switch to Bournemouth to work under Howe will catapult him back into the first-team picture at Arsenal and also see him break back into the England ranks again.

(Michael Regan/Getty Images)

“It is so good to finally get everything sorted out,” he said. “It was a long 48 hours before the transfer window shut, it was nice to meet the manager and to speak to him – I had heard a lot about him.

“I met a few managers but as soon as I heard from Eddie Howe I wanted to get down to Bournemouth and get everything sorted out.

“Everyone knows that I am close with Benik Afobe, I spoke to him and he only had good things to say about Eddie – also other people in the game close to me were also really positive.

“I have watched Eddie’s teams, I like how he plays football and I like how he goes about things. He brought that across when we met, I am looking forward to working with him and I know he can help improve me.”