Ozil’s demands could push loaned Arsenal star further to fringes
Published:
Such is the majesty of Mesut Ozil in full flow that Arsenal fans would surely implore their club to give into any demand, financial or otherwise, to keep the midfielder at the Emirates long term.
The great news for Gunners is that varying publications report Ozil to be a whisker away from signing a new contract which was first spoken about when Leicester were just that team who narrowly avoided relegation.
Before it’s official and the Emirates party streamers are set off though, spare a thought for Jack Wilshere, the Arsenal thoroughbred currently on a season’s soul-searching mission at Bournemouth.
According to said reports Ozil, who is set to increase his weekly wage packet by £70k per week to make it a nice round £200k, has apparently set out a couple of stipulations.
While the former Real Madrid maestro hasn’t called for Wilshere to be permanently sold or else, he has asked for the England midfielder’s vacant No 10 shirt to be transferred over to him indefinitely.
Shirts do carry connotations and Arsenal’s number 10 did belong to a certain Dennis Bergkamp not so long ago, arguably the greatest Gunner to have slipped it on in the club’s illustrious history.
Wilshere may not bear a grudge in the circumstances, seeing the retention of Ozil’s services as a move for the greater good of his boyhood club.
However, having been ostracised to a certain extent already by being farmed out on loan to the Vitality Stadium, it could sew more seeds of doubt that Arsenal is where the injury-stricken midfielder still belongs.
Much will depend on Wilshere’s ability to stay fit and perform consistently for Eddie Howe’s side in the Premier League and if he does, then Arsene Wenger would surely welcome a player he has personally nurtured back to the fold.
He just might have to change his number to 11 is all.
All Odds and Markets are correct as of the date of publishing
