Bring back Jack, to sell Ozil?
In what is probably the most ridiculous thing you’ll hear all day, maybe even all week, one former Premier League coach thinks Arsenal should sell Mesut Ozil to make way for Jack Wilshere!
Jack Wilshere was sent out on loan from Arsenal to AFC Bournemouth on the final day of the Summer Transfer Window. It was a move that shocked many fans and professionals alike, but so far Wilshere has been impressive, especially in regards to his fitness. One of the key reasons for why Wilshere was sent out on loan from Arsenal is that the Gunners boss felt his fitness would only improve with regular playing time. At Bournemouth, Wilshere is yet to put a foot wrong and has stayed injury free for probably the longest period of time in the last few years.
Wilshere is therefore having a good season at Bournemouth and no injury concerns spells good news for Arsenal. However former Chelsea coach Ray Wilkins has dropped a rather shocking statement, by saying he feels Arsenal should sell Ozil to accommodate for Wilshere.
Wilkins said: “I’d bring Jack Wilshere back and let Ozil go. I think Jack is thoroughly enjoying himself at Bournemouth. He is actually playing week in, week out and you can see progress he is making. Thankfully he is over the injury problems he has had in the past. I think Jack Wilshere could be the equal of Ozil, if not better.”
I honestly don’t think I’ve heard something quite so ridiculous since the era of Arsenal lining up with Santos and Squillaci in the side.
I agree with Wilkins to the extent that Arsenal should be looking to welcome back Wilshere and implement him into the team, but to say he should replace Ozil is ridiculous. So long as the Gunners feel no need to sell the German, I would hope that instincts kick in to say that he’s one of our best players and is arguably irreplaceable in the side at this current stage.
Despite all his off the field antics and the unfortunate injury problems, I’m a big fan of Wilshere and would love to see him pulling on the red and white shirt of Arsenal again. When fit, he has an ability that is rarely matched in the Premier League and that’s something the Gunners should be looking to utilise in the side. But there is no way that our World Cup Winner Mesut Ozil, should be shown the exit door from the Emirates to accommodate for the Englishman.
In my opinion Wilshere will undoubtedly return to the side at the end of the season, if he can prove his fitness over the course of the entire campaign. But he’s more likely to replace the ageing and injury troubled Santi Cazorla than he is to replace Mesut Ozil!
By AH