Former Arsenal midfielder Jack Wilshere has now named one iconic ex-teammate as the best example of one thing.
Jack Wilshere played with and against many modern footballing greats in his playing days at Arsenal.
As youngster, Wilshere himself was one of the most exciting prospects in European football, before recurrent injuries derailed his career and curtailed his promise. However, the 32-year-old was still able to enjoy some magic moments with the Gunners, as he made almost 200 appearances for the club, winning two FA Cup titles.
Having hung up his boots for good in 2022, the 34-cap former England international is now working within the Hale End academy system that he came through himself as a player, managing Arsenal’s under-18s.
Wilshere recently heaped praise on teenage Arsenal starlet Chido Obi, and is working hard to develop the club’s most promising youngsters so that they might one day feature in Mikel Arteta’s first teams.
Jack Wilshere sets former Arsenal star Mesut Ozil above the rest
He has also recently taken the time to reflect upon his own career, and discuss some of the players he worked with and battled against.
Wilshere named former Arsenal winger Theo Walcott as the fastest player he ever played with or against. Walcott himself recently went into detail about his own blistering pace.
In conversation with Goal, when it came to the player he encountered with the highest football IQ, Wilshere named another ex-Arsenal star in Mesut Ozil.
Mesut Ozil will be remembered for his playmaking ability at Arsenal
The German was undoubtedly a playmaking genius. Few players, if any in the Premier League, have ever possessed the vision and guile that he boasted when at his best. Whilst the 35-year-old could frustrate at times, and his stint at the Emirates Stadium ended unceremoniously, he was mesmerising when at his best.
In 254 appearances for the Gunners, across all competitions, he racked up 44 goals and 75 assists. Ozil also won four FA Cups with the Gunners, and will always be remembered in North London for his ability to outthink and unlock opposition defences. Few could argue with Wilshere’s pick for the player with the highest footballing IQ.
Ozil brought the curtain down on his playing career in 2023, after stints with Fenerbahce and Istanbul Basaksehir. Many Arsenal fans may not recognise Ozil now, as he has undergone a remarkable transformation in his post-playing days.