Featured image credit: PA Images
So it turns out Mesut Ozil is just as ruthless with his teammates as he is with a through ball. The German playmaker hasn't even allowed Jack Wilshere's empty spot in the Emirates Stadium dressing room to go cold and already he's eyeing up the England international's shirt number.
Wilshere departed North London for Bournemouth on a season long loan, this week and his number 10 shirt is now vacant. And Ozil wants it.
The former Real Madrid maestro recently took the number for Germany from the recently internationally retired Lukas Podolski and now, speaking to Express, the Gunners' assist machine has explained how he's going to take it at club level, too:
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"For me, the number means a lot. It is my favorite number. Football legends such as Zinedine Zidane, Diego Maradona and Pele have this number. I'm really happy about it."
"I wanted to have the number a few years ago, but so did Lukas Podolski and he had played more matches than me. Now I have access!
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"Of course, I've previously given those in charge a signal. The number is right for me and my position as playmaker."
Given that Wilshere's loan move to the Cherries isn't a permanent one, we're not sure how thrilled he'll be should he return to Arsenal to find his shirt number taken. Although, if reports are to be believed, a future at the Emirates doesn't look all that likely for Eddie Howe's newest loan star.
(H/T Goal)
Topics: Football, Mesut Ozil, Jack Wilshere, Arsenal