West Ham face Arsenal at the Emirates Stadium on Saturday.
Jack Wilshere has told West Ham United’s official website that he fancies the Hammers’ chances against former club Arsenal on Saturday, and is desperate to prove why the Gunners were wrong to let him go.
Wilshere, 26, faces Arsenal for the first time in his career after completing a permanent move to the Hammers on a free transfer this summer. He has been ineligible to face the Gunners during his previous loan spells.
Unai Emery decided not to renew the Arsenal academy product’s contract at the Emirates which saw Wilshere’s contract expire, and is keen to show the Spanish boss that he was wrong to let him go.
Wilshere said that he believes West Ham can win at the Emirates on Saturday, despite losing to Liverpool and Bournemouth in his first two competitive fixtures in claret and blue.
“I’ve got to try and block all the emotion out,” Wilshere said. “First of all, I’ve got to concentrate on football and I quite fancy our chances. I obviously know them really well. They’ve got a new manager, but I know the players.
“It’ll be a strange one for me as I was never able to go there and play when I went out on loan, but it’s one I’m looking forward to. It’s down to me to prove a point to Arsenal that they were wrong to get rid of me.”
Wilshere left Arsenal just two appearances shy of completing 200 outings for the north Londoners, helping his former club win two FA Cup trophies and the Community Shield on one occasion.
The Hammers went from 1-0 up against Bournemouth to losing 2-1, and fans will be desperate for their side to put on a better showing against their London rivals this weekend.
In the two sides last 22 meetings, West Ham only won once which came in the form of a 2-0 win in Slaven Bilic’s first game in charge as Hammers boss back in August 2015.
Receive exclusive football transfer news and updates twice a week to your mailbox
