Jack Wilshere admits Arsenal's players were questioning Arsene Wenger when he sold Robin van Persie to Manchester United.

Van Persie left in n 2012 to win the Premier League with United.

He told William Hill: “I was surprised that Wenger let Robin van Persie go.

"I was disappointed but, being completely honest, that is probably the trajectory that Arsenal were on at the time. We'd lost Nasri, Adebayor and Cesc Fabregas – Robin knew that we weren't going to challenge for the Premier League title for a few years.

“The reaction from the Arsenal fans to Van Persie leaving was quite visceral and rightly so. It was understandable. It hurt and there were definitely conversations between players about what was actually going on at the club.

“Then Wenger went and brought in Mesut Ozil from Real Madrid and that made the squad believe that the club still wanted to challenge for the title. Then Santi Cazorla came and Alexis Sanchez as well. I think the hurt surrounding Robin's departure was more of a personal one, because we knew him so well. He was the captain, he was a good leader and he set high standards."