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Cape Town - Jack Wilshere admits that losing his place in the England squad is what prompted a loan move from Arsenal to English Premier League rivals Bournemouth.
In one of the biggest shocks of the transfer window period, Wilshere made the move to the south coast to join the Cherries, who were preparing for their second ever season in the division.
However, the presence of Eddie Howe and their attractive brand of passing football proved to be an ideal option for the playmaker.
After bursting onto the scene for Arsenal as a teenager, the mercurial talent fell off the radar after suffering two seasons out on the sidelines due to various injury troubles.
Upon returning to fitness after a couple of games back, Wilshere returned during an underwhelming Euro 2016 campaign as the Three Lions were knocked out by Iceland.
Despite a full pre-season with the Gunners, the 24-year-old was left out of the next national team squad and he claims it put his current career predicament into perspective.
"When the England squad was announced and I wasn't in it, it hurt me," he told ESPN. "I want to be part of the England squad. I feel like I'm good enough, I can make a difference in the team and when I was left out, it sparked something in me.
"I thought 'I need a change. I need to be part of a team where I'm going to play week in, week out, be an important member of the team and make a difference.'
"The player I am and the character I am, to get the best out of me I need to feel responsibility and be part of a team that needs me, so that's the main reason I came -- to play football and prove to everyone I can play week in, week out.
"I can last 90 minutes, I can try different things on the pitch, my confidence is back and hopefully I can build on that now and get many more 90 minutes."
