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Reports have emerged that Mesut Ozil is demanding Jack Wilshere’s number 10 shirt as part of any arrangement which will see him sign a new contract with Arsenal.
The German international’s current deal at The Emirates ends at the end of the season, and he has been linked with a move away from the club, with Manchester United said to be his main suitor. However, Arsenal still want to tie the player down to a new long-term contract, and were said to be hopeful of getting him to commit before his latest demand.
Ozil’s personal brand is linked to the number ten shirt and he has often said how much he would like the shirt number with the Gunners. He was said to be disappointed when the shirt number was not made available to him when Wilshere went on loan to Bournemouth last season, and wants it included in any new deal were he to sign.
This puts Arsenal in a very difficult situation. They are trying to get Wilshere to sign a new deal as well, and the England player is unlikely to be happy to lose his shirt number to a player he regards as his main rival for a permanent first-team spot. Yet another headache for manager Arsene Wenger to resolve it seems.
Andy is an exiled English football fan living in Cyprus. He loves all sports but football is his abiding passion, and he still has dreams every now and then about scoring the winning goal in a Wembley Cup Final, even though his playing days are long gone. He follows most major leagues, across Europe at least, and has a favoured team in each. When he’s not watching, listening, reading or downloading podcasts about football, he spend his time worrying about his beloved Arsenal.