Arsenal: Mesut Ozil showing Alexis Sanchez how it’s done

Mesut Ozil is reportedly set to sign a new contract with Arsenal. If a new deal is agreed upon, then the German is showing Alexis Sanchez how it’s done.

Entering the summer, there were many decisions that Arsenal, the club, the manager and the players had to make that would have significant, long-lasting ramifications. But three reign over all the others. The first was the future of Arsene Wenger. That, as we all know, has been confirmed, with him signing a new two-year contract earlier this week. The second is the future of the Alexis Sanchez. The third is that of Mesut Ozil.

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While Wenger’s future has been ensured, at least for the time being, the latter two still sit in limbo. Both have been extremely influential in the Gunners’ success in recent seasons, with Ozil winning the player of the season award in 2016 and Sanchez set to win the same award this year.

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They are, without question, the two best players in the squad, and if they were to leave, it would be a devastating blow for a club that is trying, and failing, to build a title-challenging squad. But recent reports suggest that Ozil is willing to sign a new contract, keeping him in North London for the next few seasons and for the prime of his career.

It is alleged that he was initially demanding £350,000-a-week. However, with a lack of serious, substantiated offers from other clubs, it is now suggested that he is willing to compromise on the figure, coming down to £280,000-a-week. For a player with just one year left on his contract and all the signs pointing towards a summer exit, it would be a major boost for Arsenal if they were able to secure him to another deal.

It would also pave the way for Sanchez to follow suit. The Chilean has visibly grown frustrated with life at the Emirates, and while winning the FA Cup for the second time in his career would have been a wonderful experience, the lack of a title challenge, the lack of Champions League football and the lack of ambition could be difficult hurdles for the club to overcome in convincing him to stay.

But Ozil’s reported decision will certainly aid conversations. Both have been extremely tight since Sanchez signed in 2014, enjoying a near telepathic connection on the pitch, and bonding well off of it. It will certainly come as an encouraging sign for Sanchez that Ozil has decided to stay.

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Signing Sanchez to another deal is perhaps the most important task to fulfil this summer for Arsenal, now that Wenger’s future has been ensured. It will not be easy but Ozil is paving the way. Let’s hope that Sanchez can now follow.