Arsene Wenger looks to bring back former Gunners midfielder

By Nuel Nonny | 2nd January 2016

Arsenal are looking to the past for their future, apparently.

Oguzhan Ozyakup never quite made the grade first time around when he spent four years in the Gunners youth team before leaving for Besiktas in 2012 where he has since thrived.

The playmaker’s reputation has only grown in Turkey, and Fanatik says that Arsene Wenger has realised the error of his ways, identifying Ozyakup as the man his side now needs.

It is reported that a deal may not happen until the summer but Ozyakup is thought to be keen on a return to England and the Premier League.

The Turkey international could be the perfect long-term replacement for Santi Cazorla.
Someone that Wenger has absolutely no intention of letting out of his grasp is perennially injured Jack Wilshere.

The England midfielder has not featured this season due to a fractured leg and his comeback has been delayed until February.

His current deal is due to end in 2018 and Wenger is keen to seal his long-term future.
“He has two years left and I want Jack to stay here,” the Arsenal boss said.

“He is a special case because he is a special talent, he comes out of the club and he is an England international.”

Wenger also said he is hopeful that Wilshere is over the worst of his injury troubles.

“You know I’m an optimist and I always think: ‘OK it’s true that he hasn’t played many games in recent years’,” said the Arsenal manager. “I hope at some stage that will stop because he is young and I hope I’m right.
“When you love football and at his age, when you wake up in the morning and you can’t practice, that’s terrible.

“They need support and I try to give it to him. But he is strong and he is dealing with that.

“He started at 17 and played every single game and suddenly it stopped. So I believe that can make you stronger.”
Meanwhile, Roma are reportedly ready to revive Mathieu Debuchy’s career by offering the Arsenal man a move away from the Premier League.

The France defender has lost his place in the Arsenal first team to Hector Bellerin, making just six appearances for the club this season.

According to the Daily Mail, Roma will offer Debuchy an initial loan deal until the end of the season so the player can build up his match fitness.

Discussing Debuchy’s future this week, Wenger said: “It’s not impossible Debuchy will leave. I’m happy for him to stay, but we’ll see.”

Rounding things off for this edition of Arsenal gossip is the not overly surprising news that the club are disappointed Carl Jenkinson has lost his regular place in the West Ham team.
Jenkinson is midway through his second consecutive season-long loan at Upton Park and has started just one Premier League match since November 29.

According to Football Insider the Gunners hierarchy are none too impressed.

Jenkinson told the West Ham website: “Like everyone else I want to be playing.

“I have had a few games coming off the bench which has been frustrating but I want to take my chances when I get them and cement my place in the team.

“Every player will tell you they want to be playing and I am the same.”