Arsenal: Mesut Ozil stealing Jack Wilshere’s number heinous

Arsenal will have to make some decisions regarding Mesut Ozil, but stomping all over Jack Wilshere’s toes is no way to start.

It’s international break, which means the Arsenal tabloid media is going to dig deep to give you something to click on. And not a moment too soon, we have our first ridiculous report from the Sun. 

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According to the report, Mesut Ozil may yet sign a new contract. The catch is that he doesn’t just want a massive raise, he also wants Jack Wilshere‘s shirt. As in the No. 10 shirt. Apparently this will help Ozil raise his “money-making brand.”

Now, let me get this out of the way – I don’t buy any of this for a second. I cannot imagine any sort of scenario playing out where Ozil meets with Wenger and says “yes, I’ll stay, but I need Wilshere’s number to help me make money.” That’s asinine.

But, for the sake of the argument, let’s consider briefly that it is real, and that we can keep Ozil in all of his glory if we simply take away the shirt number that Wilshere has had for years and hand it to Mesut Ozil so he can make more money on top of the raise he would already be getting.

Well, then that would be the most idiotic, backwards thing that happened in Arsene Wenger’s era at Arsenal. And that includes the signing of Yaya Sanogo. And letting our two superstars get into this contract situation to begin with.

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Jack Wilshere is Arsenal football club. He always has been. No one has ever called into question his dedication to the club, his patience with the club and the immense impact he could have had. And still can have.

And then you have Mesut Ozil who, while supremely talented in terms of chance creation, is waiting in limbo, leaving the club in limbo, for reasons that no one understands because there isn’t anything being said. Other than this random report that he wants Jack Wilshere’s number and he will stay.

Now just that, but has Ozil really earned that number? I don’t care if his Instagram handle has the number ten. In my book, Wilshere has done more for this club than Ozil. And even if he hadn’t, you don’t take away his number. This club is about loyalty right?

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Thankfully, this all sounds like rubbish. So everything I just said is pretty much moot.