Arsenal: Contract crisis leads to powerless defiance of frightful result

Reports are suggesting that Mesut Ozil is nearing a Manchester United exit. Arsenal, because of the contract crisis that Arsene Wenger and the club have allowed, are powerless to defy such a frightful result.

Arsene Wenger has stated that he prefers to keep players on shorter contracts because he feels that they are more motivated to perform to the best of their ability. His belief is that the threat of a departure, and the reward of a bumper new deal, is added incentive for them to work at their absolute maximum. It is a theory that is unproven at best.

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But even if it were true, which isn’t necessarily a ridiculous admission to make, there are constraints to its success. The instability of the squad and its players, the distraction of potential suitors, and the decreased transfer fees that are received if a sale is the end result.

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However, while they are all troublesome factors that are sufficient to deter many managers from committing to the same contract strategy as Wenger, perhaps the most prominent, and concerning, is the powerlessness of the club when it comes to dictating the player’s destination, if they are indeed to depart.

Look at Arsenal’s history, for example. Emmanuel Adebayor, Samir Nasri, Gael Clichy, Bacary Sagna, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, and, perhaps most famously, Robin van Persie, all joined direct rivals of the Gunners. And although their soon-to-be-expiring contracts were not the sole reason for that eventuality, they did play a key factor. Arsenal had no power to dictate where their players were sold.

That is an issue that is especially pertinent this season. Mesut Ozil and Alexis Sanchez, when January comes around, will be free to enter into talks with any foreign club regarding a pre-contract agreement, which will then usher in a new contract at said club when their current Arsenal deal expires at the end of the season.

The greater worry is that, by June, they will be able to speak with any English club concerning a pre-contract agreement. And if recent reports regarding Ozil, an approach for Fenerbache, and his waiting for Manchester United, are anything to go by, Arsenal should be worried. Very worried.

The rumours claim that Ozil has already told Fenerbache that is expecting an offer from United, an offer that he intends to accept. Now, whether you believe these reports or not, the point of powerlessness still stands. Because if it were true, the club has no control whatsoever over whether Ozil chooses to go. None. It is completely and utterly up to him. And the exact same can be said for Alexis and his impending departure.

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Ozil at Manchester United. Sanchez at Manchester City. That is a terrifying prospect. The Premier League is already tough enough. The Gunners have lost more ground than they needed to already. And now they have no power to prevent it from getting even harder. Strap yourselves in, because this is going to be one depressingly bumpy ride.