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Lauren backs Mesut Ozil’s impending Arsenal exit and claims Emile Smith Rowe could be handed No.10 shirt


Ozil is on the verge of joining Fenerbahce (Picture: Getty Images)

Lauren believes Mesut Ozil’s impending exit from Arsenal is the best solution for both parties, and tipped youngster Emile Smith Rowe as a possible candidate to inherit the German’s No.10 shirt.

Ozil is set to complete a move to Fenerbahce imminently, bringing a bitter end to his seven-and-a-half-year spell at the Emirates.

The 32-year-old hasn’t featured in a competitive match for the Gunners since being completely frozen out by Mikel Arteta last March.

Smith Rowe has been a revelation for the Gunners (Picture: Getty Images)

The playmaker’s contract isn’t due to expire until the end of the season, but an agreement to terminate his £350,000-a-week deal early has been reached.

Former Arsenal Invincible squad member Lauren feels Ozil’s exit is the right move for all involved, and suggested that if he was still a ‘top player’ then he would’ve been selected over the last 10 months.

‘Sometimes you have to reach an agreement with the player and find the best thing for both: the club and player,’ Lauren told Stadium Astro.

‘I believe there is something going on that we didn’t know about.

‘There are two sides – when you are a top player and you have such quality as Ozil, if you don’t play with [Unai] Emery and you don’t play with Arteta, do we have to blame the manager or the club? I don’t believe so.

‘If you are a top player and are consistent week in, week out then there is no manager that is going to have you on the sideline and leave you out.

‘The best solution for him is to move away and find a place where he can be the leader. He is going to feel comfortable and at home. This is the best news for both sides.

‘For Arsenal, they don’t have to pay big wages and for the player, he is moving to a place he can play week in, week out.’

Ozil’s departure will mean his No.10 shirt is up for grabs, and despite the fact that he is yet to officially leave the club, Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and Alexandre Lacazette have already taken to social media to discuss who will be given the jersey.

However, Lauren believes Smith Rowe is also in the running given the 20-year-old attacking midfielder’s excellent displays of late.

‘For the position he plays, maybe [Emile] Smith Rowe,’ Lauren added.

‘If he keeps performing week in, week out in a consistent way, maybe he could have the No.10 for next season. Why not?’


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