Mesut Ozil looks set to vacate his number ten shirt at Arsenal, as the player was in Istanbul over the weekend to finalise a move to Fenerbahce.
Mesut Ozil Transfer to Fenerbahce Could See New Number Ten at Emirates
Battle Already on for Ozil Number Ten Shirt Number at Arsenal
Having not featured for the Gunners since before the first lockdown in March, and being left out of Mikel Arteta’s Premier League and Europa League squads for 2020/21, Ozil’s impending departure will vacate the Number ten shirt at Arsenal, per The Athletic.
Ozil’s imminent exit has provoked speculation amongst the players as to who will fill the jersey left by the German international. Forward pair Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and Alexandre Lacazette took to Instagram to stake their claims for a new squad number.
Lacazette has previously worn Number ten whilst at Lyon, before switching to number nine after his transfer to Arsenal in 2o17. Hale End graduate Emile Smith-Rowe, who currently wears number 32, could also be keen on switching to the number ten shirt. After some impressive performances since Christmas, the youngster may fancy his chances at gaining a first-team squad number.
However, Premier League regulation may prevent any change being made to Arsenal’s squad numbers this month. In order to change numbers in mid-season, a special request would have to be submitted to the Premier League.
This is unlikely to happen, as previous switches in squad numbers mean top-flight clubs must allow any supporter who had purchased a shirt with the previous number change it for free. The cost of this potential scenario means Arsenal may be reluctant to change any numbers mid-season.
A number ten could yet feature for the club by the end of January. Should they bring in a playmaking midfielder, he would be free to take the shirt left by Ozil.
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