Ex-defender Tony Adams believes Arsenal “insulted” Jack Wilshere when they signed Mesut Ozil several years ago.
Arsenal smashed their transfer record to bring the 28-year-old attacker to the Emirates from Real Madrid in 2013, a deal which cost the club a fee in the region of £42.5million.
But the German international star, who was a key figure during their 2014 World Cup triumph, has endured mixed results with Arsenal, and has endured widespread criticism for his lack of consistency.
Ozil has contributed 32 goals and 57 assists from his 161 appearances for Arsenal in all competitions, but Adams believes the Premier League giants already had a player of his talents in Wilshere.
The England midfielder has fallen out-of-favour at the club under Arsene Wenger in recent seasons, with his regular game-time limited due to his proneness to injury.
He has made just five first-team appearances for the Gunners across the last two full seasons, spending the duration of the 2016-17 season on loan at Bournemouth.
However, Adams insists Wilshere is “every bit as good” as Ozil, and questioned the urgency in Arsenal’s need to buy the former Real Madrid man.
He told the Evening Standard: “It was an insult to buy Mesut Ozil when we’ve got Jack Wilshere there, who is every bit as good.
“If I’d been Jack I’d have knocked on Arsene’s door and said ‘why the hell are you spending £40m on this player when I can do it just as well.’
“A lot of fans have questioned Ozil and his desire to win. When you’ve got a player and you’re giving them lots of money they have to contribute.”
Both Wilshere and Ozil are out of contract at the end of next season, but little progress is being made in Arsenal’s attempts to see them commit their long-term futures to the club.
But while the potential departure of Ozil is widely considered the more pressing concern for Arsenal fans, the role of Wilshere next season will also raise eyebrows.
The midfielder faces a battle to regain his spot in the first-team squad following his loan spell at Bournemouth, with Wenger considering adding further reinforcements in the position this summer.