Arsenal Face Ultimatum Year With Mesut Ozil

Arsenal have finally seen the true brilliance of Mesut Ozil, but they have no trophies to show for it. Next year could be an ultimatum year for the two.

The signing of Mesut Ozil in the summer of 2013 was kind of a big deal. It was the biggest signing in club history. It was also the signing that signified an end to the debt years. No longer would Arsenal be selling their stars. Now they would be buying stars.

He was also supposed to help us win some trophies.

In that initial year, Ozil looked rough. Life in the Premier League was different from life in Spain and things just weren’t clicking. But Wenger knew what he was doing. He stuck with him. After an initial lapse in his second year at the club, an injury pushed Ozil over the edge. It was time for a change.

When Ozil returned, it was clear that he understood. His work ethic was put to question and he definitively answered those questions, returning bigger, stronger and hungrier than ever. That form carried over into this year, where he has been Arsenal’s guardian angel.

More from Pain in the Arsenal

However, if this season goes the route it looks to be going, where no trophies are to be had, Arsenal may find themselves in a bit of a pickle with their pricey German.

Arsene Wenger is confident that Ozil will sign a new contract this summer and Ozil has continually restated how happy he is here, but things can change. Ozil did not come here to sit back and watch Wenger’s plan take a decade to unfold. He did come here because of Wenger and because of Le Prof’s vision, but Ozil is not someone like Hector Bellerin, who owes his very career to the club. Ozil wants trophies.

Mesut Ozil is not going to leave this summer. He has established too much in North London and his relationship with Arsene Wenger is too strong. However, next year may be the ultimatum year. If Ozil does not sign a contract this summer – or even if he does – next year may be Arsenal’s last chance to bring home a trophy with Ozil in the squad.