Jack Wilshere has revealed that the influence of Benik Afobe helped him make the decision to join Bournemouth.

The 24-year-old Arsenal midfielder joined the south coast club on a season-long loan on deadline day and says his friendship with current Cherries and former Gunners striker Afobe assisted him in opting for the Vitality Stadium.

"Benik is my best friend," said Wilshere.

"We have been in contact ever since he has been here and he has only got good things to say about Bournemouth. As soon as I found they were interested this was where I was coming.

"I phoned him and said I was going to meet with the manager and he was saying 'You've got to come here, you've got to come here'.

"I met him when I was nine and we have been best friends ever since.

"There are not many who came up the whole way through the youth teams at Arsenal.

"It was soon just me and him that were left."