Arsenal midfielder Mesut Ozil has seen his contract extension talks with the Gunners put on hold. As Arsenal Manager Arsene Wenger informed us a couple weeks ago, the club has put off contract extension talks with Ozil’s agent, as well as Alexis Sanchez’s representation, until after the season.
Ozil and Sanchez contract extension questions have surrounded the team now for quite some time. What’s been the hold-up?
Well, obviously the questionable future of Arsene Wenger at the club hovers above and overshadows everything surrounding the club. The Frenchman has obviously been highly scrutinized by Gunners supporters, but he’s also very highly regarded within the club’s board.
Ozil told the Daily Mail that he’s waiting for clarity on Wenger’s future before turning attention to his own status.
“It’s not just important for me but for the whole club. It’s important to know if he stays or if he goes. We need to think towards next season.
“He’s very important. In my career I’ve always made decisions not just because of clubs but managers, too. As a footballer, it’s important to have the manager’s trust and believe they can develop you.
“When I went from Madrid to Arsenal, I came for him because I told him at the time he’d be my first option. That was the case. We still have a super understanding today.
“I have his trust, he’s a superb coach. He’s been successful for many years, he’s been here for 20 years and has always managed to get Arsenal to reach the Champions League, making Arsenal a big club. He deserves to be shown respect.”
Back in January, Mesut Ozil told German magazine Kicker that he wanted to know more about Wenger’s future at the club before making the decision on his further future commitment.
“I feel very, very happy at Arsenal and have let the club know I would be willing to extend. The fans want me to stay, and now it’s only down to the club,” Ozil said.
“The club knows I am here mainly because of Arsene Wenger, who brought me here and whose trust I have. The club also knows that I want clarity about what the manager is doing.”
Wenger’s contract expires this summer and he’s repeatedly said that he’s made up his mind about what he’s going to do at the end of this season when his contract expires, but he claims that he hasn’t informed anyone, not even the club itself of what that decision will be.
There have been stories indicating Wenger has been a two year extension, but that hasn’t been verified yet. (side note, Wenger has also said the story indicating he was going to Paris Saint-Germain is “fake news.”)
Both Ozil and Sanchez have 15 months left on their current deals.
Paul M. Banks runs The Sports Bank.net and TheBank.News, partnered with FOX Sports Engage Network. and News Now. Banks, a former writer for the Washington Times and NBC Chicago.com, contributes to Chicago Tribune.com, Bold, WGN CLTV and KOZN.
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