Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger has confirmed that midfielder Jack Wilshere has left the club to enjoy regular football elsewhere.
The Englishman was a surprise deadline day transfer this summer as he left the club to join Bournemouth on loan.
The 66-year-old insists that the 24-year-old has a future at the club as he is a "world-class football player".
"Personally that's where I prefer him [playing further forward]," Wenger told reporters on Friday.
"think Jack Wilshere is a world-class player. He has a great footballing brain, and understands everything that is going on on the football pitch.
"He is most dangerous when you give him the ball in the final third. For me, it was always a shame when he played too deep and too close to the goal because I like him where he can create.
"The thinking behind the [move] was that he would get regular football and come back to what he is - a world-class football player.
"We had a chat together and he himself was concerned that he would not get enough competition early enough, because he feels ready to play.
"I couldn't guarantee that, so that's why [we took] the decision. I think it looks logical to give him time to really come back to a competitive level. At some stage you need competition and I couldn't guarantee him that.
"He wanted games and I can understand his desire. I felt it was a logical decision. Let's not forget that last year he didn't play.
"He's in a position where you need games. You can't not compete for two seasons and then want to be at the top level. It's important for him that he gets the number of games this season."
