Arsenal Have A New No.10 – But Worrying News For Podolski?

Arsenal have confirmed several changes to the squad numbers for the upcoming campaign, most notable is Jack Wilshere being handed the famous No.10 shirt.

Following the departure of Robin van Persie to Manchester United, there was a vacancy to be filled with many assuming it would be summer signing Lukas Podolski who would inherit the No.10 shirt.

However, the Gunners have confirmed on Arsenal.com that midfielder Wilshere has moved from the No.19 shirt to take up the number previously worn by the likes of Dennis Bergkamp.

Santi Cazorla will  now replace Wilshere and wear the No.19 shirt, Wojciech Szczesny has moved from 13 to take over the No.1 shirt, while Francis Coquelin will now wear the No.22 jersey.

Perhaps the most worrying news is that Lukas Podolski has been handed the dreaded No.9 shirt, taking over from Ju Young-Park who now takes over No.30. The No.9 shirt has been something of a poisoned chalice in recent years with the likes of Davor Suker, Francis Jeffers, Jose Antonio Reyes, Julio Baptista, Eduardo and Park all disappointing while wearing the jersey.

Hopefully Podolski can break the ‘curse’ this season!

Here is a full list of the first-team squad numbers:

1 SZCZESNY
2 DIABY
3 SAGNA
4 MERTESACKER
5 VERMAELEN
6 KOSCIELNY
7 ROSICKY
8 ARTETA
9 PODOLSKI
10 WILSHERE
11 SANTOS
12 GIROUD
14 WALCOTT
15 OXLADE-CHAMBERLAIN
16 RAMSEY
17 SONG
18 SQUILLACI
19 S.CAZORLA
20 DJOUROU
21 FABIANSKI
22 COQUELIN
23 ARSHAVIN
24 MANNONE
25 JENKINSON
26 FRIMPONG
27 Gervinho
28 GIBBS
29 CHAMAKH
30 PARK
52 BENDTNER

What do you make of the squad number changes? Any you disagree with? Get involved in the comments section.

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