Arsenal: Mesut Ozil number change may be more than nothing

Arsenal would love to solve the constant riddle that is Mesut Ozil. Might it possibly be as simple as a good old-fashioned number change?

Arsenal entered a new era when they signed Mesut Ozil. It was the first major signing they had made since the construction of the Emirates and the dark, “debt” era. He broke the transfer record by a healthy margin. He was supposed to be the start of something great, something new.

It’s been a mixed bag. The new era has already faded and died. And Ozil is a big reason for that.

There’s no hiding from the expectations that were heaped on him. he was the creative center of Real Madrid and it was expected that he would come to Arsenal and make everything better.

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Again, it’s been mixed. He struggled with the physicality, he didn’t exactly change the style of player that he was, but in the meantime, he racked up 19 assists in one season. Which is more than nothing.

The trick is still making him settle into that form again. He has not been able to rediscover that prolific form since it happened.

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He has his new deal, which didn’t seem to spur too much change in him throughout the second half of the season.

The only thing he doesn’t yet have that he has everywhere else is his preferred number – the prestigious No. 10 shirt.

I’m not going to pretend like Ozil needs his preferred kit number to become a superhero. That would be silly and misguided. But there is something to be found in making a player feel at home, and feel as though he has everything he could possibly want.

Especially someone like Ozil, who is a very cerebral player. He plays the game primarily with his mind. I don’t think the number on his back weighs on his mind all that much, but that doesn’t mean that settling any lingering concerns wouldn’t provide even the smallest boost.

Honestly, I’ve never cared what number Ozil wears. But there have been so many rumors (and more now) throughout the years of him wanting to take the No. 10 shirt from the now-departed Jack Wilshere. Clearly it meant more to him than it might to you or I.

So maybe this is the key. Maybe it will settle him into his true form. Who knows.

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It’s more than nothing, I have to believe. For all that that’s worth.