Arsenal’s hopes of keeping Mesut Ozil are related to whether manager Arsene Wenger remains with them beyond this season.
Mesut Ozil says his future at Arsenal depends on whether Arsene Wenger stays at the club as his contract saga continues.
Wenger, who signed the Germany international from Real Madrid in 2013, is out of contract at the end of the season
Ozil feels loyalty towards the Frenchman and wants confirmation on the manager’s future as negotiations over an extension to his own deal – which expires in 2018 – go on.
“The club knows that I am here most of all because of Arsene Wenger,” Ozil said to Kicker.
“He is the one who signed me and he is the one whose trust I have.
“The club also knows that I want to be clear what the manager is going to [do in the future].
“I am very, very happy at Arsenal and have let the club know that I would be ready to sign a new contract. The fans want me to stay and now it is just down to the club.”
Ozil rejected criticism from club legend Thierry Henry, who claimed he and Alexis Sanchez were “holding the club hostage” with their high wage demands.
Chile international Sanchez is also out of contract in 2018 and yet to renew his deal, but Ozil feels the opinion of former players is irrelevant.
“Everyone has a right to say what they want but what they have to say doesn’t interest me,” added the 28-year-old.
“Ex-players or other people who have a view don’t know what is actually being said between me and the club.”
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