Mesut Ozil’s long drawn out contract saga looks set to continue at Arsenal, and the German play-maker may just have dropped another hint regarding what it would take to make him commit
The latest update regarding Ozil’s situation at Arsenal was that the German international would only decide on his future when he received clarity regarding the future of his manager Arsene Wenger. The French manager is on the last year of his current deal, and Ozil hinted that Wenger’s exit may force him to reconsider playing for the Gunners.
Ozil stated this in an interview with German publication Kicker. However, the online version doesn’t contain the full interview, and it looks like Ozil has named another condition in the printed magazine interview which has been overlooked by most.
The 28-year-old has expressly stated that he wants the number 10 shirt at Arsenal.
“I would love to wear the 10 shirt, I always wanted that, the club knew from the beginning,” Ozil told Kicker, according to German media outlet fussballtransfers.com.
“When I came to Arsenal in 2013, Jack Wilshere already had the 10. The club said I would get the 10 when it was free. She has been free since Wilshere’s departure in the summer – I have not been able to do it yet.”
Arsenal have been locked in contract negotiations with Ozil and another key player in Alexis Sanchez for more than a year now. Both superstars are playing hardball though, and their wage demands seem to be continuously on the rise.
Many Gooners believed that the Ozil saga should end sooner rather than later, with Alexis Sanchez believed to be the likelier player of the two to move. However, it is the German midfielder who has been hogging the headlines in recent weeks.
Ozil has reportedly been talking to the club hierarchy about some conditions which the club would have to meet to get him to sign an extension. The 28-year-old linking his future to Wenger comes close on the heels of his alleged request to the club to sign Julian Draxler, who recently moved to PSG.
His latest request comes as no surprise, given that he already plays the number 10 ‘trequartista’ role at Arsenal. However, the shirt currently belongs to Jack Wilshere, who is on loan at AFC Bournemouth. It remains to be seen if the Gunners heed Ozil’s request and what impact that will have on their negotiations.
