Arsenal: 3 reasons why Mesut Ozil staying could be disastrous

1. Counting the cost

Ozil is not coming cheap. In fact, in 2019, he was the eighth-highest-paid player in the world. He is barely performing like the eight-best player at Arsenal. Ozil’s yearly salary comes in at £18.2 million. Just be offloading him for nothing, the Gunners would raise their yearly instalment for Nicolas Pepe.

This is financially unfeasible at the best of times. Arsenal run a self-sustainable model. They spend what they earn. This means they must be frugal and considered with their expenses, ensuring that they are efficiently making the most of the resources they do have. They cannot spendy willy-nilly like the Manchester clubs, for instance.

At present, Ozil’s salary is even more concerning. According to the Arsenal Supporters’ Trust, the club stands to make a £19 million loss in the financial year up to May 2020 should the final matches of the season be played behind closed doors as is expected. If behind-closed-doors matches persist through next season, which is also looking likely, the club would suffer a £144 million loss in the 2020-21 financial year.

Like many football clubs around the world, Arsenal are financially on their knees. Stan Kroenke will have to bail them out, as he has said he will. Keeping Ozil and his extortionate salary, then, really is crippling.