The Premier League is going to be a pretty strange place without Arsene Wenger on the sidelines.

The legendary Gunners’ manager called time on his illustrious career at the end of last season after 22 years at the helm of the Arsenal.

Wenger will always be fondly remembered at the Emirates, even if his last few seasons were categorised by inconsistencies and underwhelming performances.

The Frenchman had clearly run out of ideas and oomph by the time he called it quits and even the most fervent Wenger fan would agree that it was time for change.

At the time of the announcement that it would be Wenger’s last season in charge, there was a good deal of confusion as to whether or not he had been sacked, or had chosen to step down.

The prevailing thought was that Wenger had chosen to step aside, but according to former Gunner Jack Wilshere, that was not the case.

Wilshere was on the brink of signing a new contract at the Emirates when Wenger’s departure was announced and, as a result, the midfielder’s new deal was put on hold.

In an interview with BBC show Football Focus, Wilshere lifted the lid on how the squad reacted to the news, and according to him, Wenger was sacked.

“I was in the last year of my contract, and I spoke with the manager at the time, Arsene Wenger, and he said that they won’t be offering me a new deal and that I could leave,” said Wilshere.

“But at the time I was injured and it was difficult, because I wasn’t fit and I wasn’t playing, and not many teams wanted me injured.

“So I decided to stay and I got back into the team and they finally offered me a deal in January which was ready to sign, and then Arsene got sacked.

“It was strange, everyone was just shocked and Per Mertesacker, the captain, said a few words, and I think everyone was just in shock.”

Interesting stuff.

There were certainly many fans who felt Wenger may have been forced out of the door and this might go a long way to proving them right.

As a result of that sacking, Spaniard Unai Emery was chosen to usher in a new era in north London.

Wilshere was shipped out to West Ham as the former PSG man went about overhauling his squad.

That new squad begins their campaign with a visit from reigning champions Manchester City in what will undoubtedly prove to be a titanic test of Emery’s team.

Wilshere meanwhile, will travel to Liverpool with his new team.