Former Arsenal defender Tony Adams says Arsene Wenger’s decision to buy Mesut Ozil was “an insult” to Jack Wilshere.

The Gunners broke their club record to sign Ozil from Real Madrid in 2013 for a fee of £42.5million.

Wilshere, who spent time on loan at Bournemouth last season, has been at Arsenal since he was nine years old, but Ozil’s signing could be argued to have limited his opportunities in the side, along with recurring injury problems.

“It was an insult to buy Mesut Ozil when we’ve got Jack Wilshere there, who is every bit as good,” Adams told Standard Sport.

“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.”

Adams also stated his belief that Arsenal must find the right balance when making summer additions, something he claims Wenger has struggled with.