Mesut Ozil is not good enough to inherit Jack Wilshere’s No.10 shirt at Arsenal, according to Ray Wilkins, with speculation that the German is using the prestigious number in contract negotiations.
The 29-year-old wore the No.10 at Real Madrid and is believed to value the number in order to boost his brand.
Wilshere missed out on the latest England squad and may have to move on if he still maintains World Cup ambitions, but Wilkins insists Ozil is not good enough to take the jersey should it become available.
“He is not a great player so why should he wear 10?” Wilkins said on talkSPORT. “Why should he nick that off Jack? I think the word ‘great’ is used far too often.
“I don’t think he has ever been a great player.
“He’s been a fantastic player. I don’t think he is a great player.
“You see him in the Premier League week in week out, he’s a good player, he’s a very good player.
“But the word ‘great’ is used far too often in this game.”
Wilshere has sparkled for the Gunners in the Europa League after recovering from injury, but no progress has been made over a new deal with his current contract set to expire, like Ozil’s, next summer.
The former Bournemouth loanee has seemingly accepted a move may be for the best solution though, telling Sky Sports News: “I want to be playing for my country. I am a proud Englishman. But it is down to the manager [Southgate]. He didn’t select me.
“He said I need more football. That is what I have got to do.
“I have got to take it on board, try to get into the Arsenal first team and hopefully I’ll be selected. I have just come back to full fitness. I am happy with where I am, playing-wise. I am trying to get into the Premier League team.
“At the moment I am concentrating on the now. The future will take care of itself. All I have got to do is stay fit and play my football. I want to stay at this club — I have said that many times.”
COMMENTS