Arsenal legend Tony Adams has slammed Arsene Wenger for loaning out Jack Wilshere to Saturday’s opponents Bournemouth last term.

Speaking exclusively to Archant’s Arsenal reporter Layth Yousif the legend expressed his dissatisfaction at the long-serving Frenchman sending the 25-year-old from Hitchin away to the Cherries with the intention of playing a whole season for Eddie Howe’s men.

The talented Wilshere, who was once hailed by Pep Guardiola after a masterful performance against the all conquering Barcelona team while he was still a teenager, had a stuttering spell at the Vitality Stadium last season.

Wilshere failed to show his best form and capped a disappointing year after suffering a broken leg in April before returning to North London.

But Adams, who played 669 games for the club – lifting the league title over an incredible three decades – believes it was a wasted year in Wilshere’s career.

He said: “I love Jack Wilshere.

“What do I think for him to be loaned to Bournemouth?

“Listen he should have said no.

“If you asked Tony Adams – you’re going to Bournemouth on loan? No.

“Jack should have said: ‘No. I’m not going to Bournemouth.

“I want to play for The Arsenal. I’m not going to Bournemouth. What do I want to go to Bournemouth for? I’m an Arsenal player.

“He should have told Wenger: ‘If you don’t think I’m an Arsenal player then get rid of me. Sell me and I’ll go and play for someone who wants me.

“‘You want me to go to Bournemouth? What’s the matter with you?’”

Wilshere, who was sent off while playing for Arsenal under-23s against Manchester City at the Emirates last month, made a none-too-subtle dig at Wenger on social media this week after sending an Instagram message to former Bournemouth team-mate Tyrone Mings who was advertising his football academy.

Wilshere wrote: “Do you take 25-year-olds who can’t get a game? I’m fully fit and ready to go.”

But despite the creative midfielder’s frustration at not getting game time this season Adams is still a big fan.

He added: “I think he’s a super player but Jack’s been unlucky with injuries.

“It’s a shame but there’s a been a mix of things holding him back.

“He’s been affected by injuries and there has been a little bit of him not stepping up to realise the great potential that he has.

“But there’s also been a little bit of the club putting him down.”

Adams also reflected on Wenger’s purchase of Mesut Ozil, after the German creative midfielder received stinging criticism for his poor performance against Liverpool at Anfield, prompting a charge that he fails to perform in big matches.

Adams felt that the Alsace-born manager should not have bought Ozil and allowed Wilshere to flourish in his role instead.

He added: “For me Jack should have said to Wenger a few years back: ‘Why have you spent £40m on Ozil?

“I can do his job – play me.”

Tony Adams and Ian Ridley’s second book after Addicted is Sober – published by Simon and Schuster.