Paul Merson, Dennis Bergkamp, William Gallas, Robin van Persie, Jack Wilshere… Mesut Ozil?
There’s some great news for Arsenal fans regarding their beloved German superstar Ozil. The playmaker has confirmed that he has re-opened contract negotiations with the Gunners, after talks took a hiatus for Euro 2016.
Ozil’s current contract at the club runs out in 2018, but he revealed to German publication the Express that discussions are back underway, and an extension appears to be on the cards.
“I have a contract until 2018. We have had discussions, but they were suspended for the European Championship.
“I wanted to focus at this time only on the national team. Now we look to continue the negotiations.”
Incredible Mesut Ozil stat suggests we're all fools for moving on from his brilliance so quickly https://t.co/ku3huSwCfj #Arsenal
— SportsJOE (@SportsJOEdotie) May 15, 2016
Another noteworthy takeaway from the interview was the small matter of his jersey number at the club. Ozil is the main playmaker in the Arsenal team. The fact that last season he created more chances in a single campaign than any other player in the top five leagues essentially since those stats began being recorded is a testament to this.
During his entire tenure at Arsenal, Ozil has never worn the number 10 jersey, the kit number traditionally bestowed upon playmakers and William Gallas’s, because a certain English midfielder has held it for since 2012. However, with Jack Wilshere gone off to Bournemouth, Ozil has his eye on that coveted kit.
“It (number 10 jersey) just went free, and I definitely want it.”
“I wanted the number for years but so did Lukas Podolski. He got to keep it because he had more caps than I did. Now I’ve pounced. The number fits me and my position: playmaker.”
The FootballJOE quiz: Were you paying attention? – episode 10
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