Three Things Arsenal Must Do To Make Ozil Sign A Contract Extension
Arsenal’s failure to qualify for Champions League football hit severely, their ability to attract big names in the market. Also, the likes of Alexis Sanchez and Mesut Ozil, their most renowned stars, have fueled transfer speculations by rejecting contract extension offers, and are determined to leave on Bosman transfer in July 2018 if not allowed to depart in the upcoming winter transfer window. Moreover, the contract renewal of their veteran manager Arsene Wenger has created a frenzy of rage among the club supporters who were willing to have someone new in the place of the Frenchman in order to compete for the Premier League title.
Things, however, have not been much in Wenger’s favour recently following a 3-1 defeat against league leaders Manchester City. Sanchez’s departure will be a huge loss for the Gunners as the Chilean has already made things clear about his egress.
Wenger is also sweating over Mesut Ozil’s future amidst speculation about his reunion with current Manchester United boss Jose Mourinho. Both the Manchester clubs along with defending champions Chelsea and 2016-17 Premier League runners-up Tottenham Hotspur are the favourites to grab a ‘top four’ finish, whereas Arsenal along with Liverpool hold an outside chance of clinching a Champions League berth.
Ozil has not been as impressive as he used to be in previous seasons, yet the German international is the one who must be retained to script a revival. The contract conundrum is far from sorted, but a few things should be done in an attempt to tie him down for few more years.
Jersey Number
Yes, you read it right! It might sound bizarre but the reports are claiming that Ozil has demanded the club’s ‘number 10’ jersey as part of a new deal. The German international is currently wearing the ‘number 11’ shirt for the Gunners but has been given the ‘number 10’ for Die Mannschaft after Lukas Podolski’s retirement. Jack Wilshere, who is having a fringe role with the North Londoners now, wears the no. 10 kit currently and Ozil should be handed his preferred number if this is one of the main reasons behind his lack of motivation.
A High-spending Winter
Arsenal only managed to bring in Alexandre Lacazette and Sead Kolasinac back in the summer and their failure to wrap up a deal for Lemar proves how insignificant Europa League is when compared to the prestigious Champions League. The Gunners, thus need to explore the winter transfer market as much as they can and try their level best to convince the big name stars to join them in January.
Julian Draxler is someone who can be lured to ply his trade in English football, due to the lack of opportunities at Paris St. Germain. Also, signing the young German international might be a major boost for his fellow countryman Ozil, due to their cordial relationship and understanding on and off the pitch. The 29-year-old versatile attacker should be projected as club’s ‘main man’ and the recruitment has to be done considering him as their biggest star instead of Sanchez.
High Wage Offer
Money truly speaks in modern football and Ozil’s £140,000-a-week salary is not the true reflection of what he should earn in comparison with other Premier League stars who are inferior to him in terms of quality. Arsenal reportedly intended to double his wages but the player declined it. However, a weekly wage of around £300,000 might still be good enough to make him sign a new deal if the first two other criteria are fulfilled in due course.