Arsenal’s Mesut Ozil wants Jack Wilshere’s No 10 shirt

Mesut Ozil has spoken of his desire to wear the Arsenal No. 10 shirt in the absence of Jack Wilshere, amid talks with the Gunners over a new contract.

The 27-year-old has taken over wearing No. 10 for Germany after Lukas Podolski’s retirement and has admitted that he would like the same shirt back at the Emirates Stadium.

With Wilshere joining Bournemouth on loan for the season, Ozil says that he now has the opportunity to lock down the number he desires.

“It has become free and I will definitely have it,” Ozil told German newspaper Express.

“I did a few years ago have this number [with Germany], but Lukas Podolski wanted it. He had more matches than I did. Now I have access.

“Of course I’ve previously given those in charge [at Arsenal] a signal. The number is right for me and my position as playmaker.

“For me, the number means a lot. It is my favourite number. Football legends such as Zinedine Zidane, Diego Maradona and Pele have had this number on their back.”

Ozil still has two years to run on his Arsenal contract, but it has been speculated that Arsene Wenger is keen to lock down his chief playmaker’s long-term future.

The Germany international also believes that talks with the club will occur shortly.

“I wanted to focus at this time only on the national team,” Ozil said. “Now we look to continue the negotiations.”

Ozil’s next match for Arsenal will be at home to Southampton, after the international break.