You can count Ozil in
Boost for Gunners as German prefers to stay
LONDON: Mesut Ozil will hold contract talks to sort his Arsenal future in the next fortnight.
The Germany midfielder, who has one year left on his current contract, has confirmed he will speak to club officials after the pre-season tour of Australia and China.
He said: “Once everyone is back in London we will sit down and discuss about the future.
“It is definitely my preference to stay, it is such a great club and I have always said that I feel very good at Arsenal.
“For now the most important thing is our pre-season and getting through the tour, training and getting fitness. When I’m back in London, we will sit down and discuss.”
Ozil has been in the same situation as Alexis Sanchez, who has not agreed a new deal either.
But Ozil, 28, has not spoken to his teammate about their future.
He added: “I was on vacation and did not think about anyone else. I tried to clear my mind for myself.
“Obviously the player has to think about his own future and that will be his own decision. It is something everyone has to respect.”
Laurent Koscielny is desperate for Sanchez to stay at the club.
He said: “He has a contract with Arsenal. I am not the person to take the decision about this.
“He is an important player for us. I hope and want him to stay with us this season.
“I didn’t speak to Alexis. I left him on holiday as he finished the season very late. It is important for him to recover well after a long season and we will see, the boss and the board know what they want for him.
“He is an important player for us so we want him to stay here with us for Arsenal.”
Meanwhile, Aaron Ramsey reckons he can star in Arsenal’s new system.
Gunners boss Arsene Wenger is set to start the season with the three-man defence he assembled at the back end of last term.
Wenger has signed France striker Alexandre Lacazette, wants Monaco winger Thomas Lemar but is not in the market for a midfielder – which is a great sign for Ramsey in the new 3-4-2-1 system.
He said: “Arsenal are always linked with a million players. We never take any notice.
“I have to perform to the best of my ability to be in this team and that’s what I do – I give my everything every time I’m in the team or going out to train.
“The system suited a lot players. It gives us a platform to build from. I felt good in that formation – it freed me up to get forward a lot more and get into some dangerous positions so I really thought it worked for us towards the end of the season.
“I haven’t set any goals but with this new formation a long season, hopefully an injury-free season. I know what I am capable of doing. If I can stay fit then hopefully it will take care of itself, but no targets, no.”