Arsenal midfielder Mesut Ozil is determined to get his hands on the club’s No.10 shirt following Jack Wilshere’s move to Bournemouth on a season-long loan.
The German international has now claimed the No.10 for his country after the retirement of Lukas Podolski from international competition.
“It just went free, and I definitely want it,” Ozil told German publication Express.
“I’d wanted the number for years but so did Lukas Podolski. And he got to keep it because he had more caps than I did. Now I’ve pounced.
“The number fits me and my position: play-maker.
“It’s my favourite number. Football legends like Zinedine Zidane, Diego Maradona and Pele wore that number on their backs. I’m really very happy to have it.”
Ozil’s determination to get his hands on the shirt reflects his desire to remain with the Gunners for the foreseeable future, revealing contract negotiations were still progressing.
“I’ve got a deal that takes me through 2018. We’ve had talks, but we broke them off during the Euros so I could concentrate on the national team. Let’s see where the negotiations go from here.”
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