Arsenal: There’s only one winner in the Mesut Ozil/Alexis Sanchez debate

Both Mesut Ozil and Alexis Sanchez can leave Arsenal on a free in the summer. There have long been discussions about who would be better to keep. Well, after his performance against Newcastle United, there’s only one answer to the either-or debate.

At present, both Mesut Ozil and Alexis Sanchez will leave Arsenal at the end of the year. Both their contracts expire at the end of the year, and there has been little to suggest that they are close to signing new ones, they will be free to choose their next club as they so please and there has been growing rumour that they will indeed leave.

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Given the nature of football debate, it is natural to discuss which of the two one would rather keep. And the answer, at least for me, seems to flip from one to the other with every passing week. Right now, the answer is an emphatic one, and it’s Ozil.

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So Arsene Wenger’s post-match comments are somewhat exciting. Speaking at press-conference, when Wenger asked whether he believed Ozil, who was at his masterful best against Newcastle United, would sign a new contract. This is what he said:

"“I’m confident, yes, but what does that mean? I don’t know. It’s [the goal is] superb, he can deliver that. It’s important for him that he takes the risk to do what he did. Usually, he is a guy who, 99 percent of the time, in this position, he controls the ball and gives it to somebody else, so I’m pleased he took the gamble to finish and I’m happy as well that he scored a very important goal.”"

Now, I have no idea what to believe anymore. Wenger has made similar comments in the past. Some have been proven true; some have been proven false. But what I do know is that after his performance on Saturday, I am only more convinced of the importance of re-signing the German to a new deal.

Ozil created seven chances in total. No other player created more than four. He completed 90% of his passes and played with a lovely balance of creativity and control from a deeper midfield position, only adding another example of his superiority over Sanchez this season.

Ozil has averaged 0.49 assist per 90 minutes; Sanchez has averaged 0.12. Ozil has averaged 4.18 chances created per 90 minutes; Sanchez has averaged 3.35. Ozil has averaged a 86% pass completion rate; Sanchez has averaged a 73% pass completion rate. Ozil has made 3.7 key passes per 90 minutes; Sanchez has made 3.15. Ozil is better than Sanchez in every creative measurement per 90 minutes this year. And he outshone him again on Saturday.

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Only time will tell whether Arsenal are able to secure either of their futures. Wenger obviously thinks that it is still possible. But if you were to only offer me one of them, I’m taking Mesut Ozil. And, to be honest, right now, it’s not even that close.