Ozil nears improved deal with Arsenal

MESUT OZIL is close to reaching an agreement on a new Arsenal deal. Ozil is in the final year of his contract but the club have been encouraged by recent negotiations and comments from the 28-yearold about staying in London. Arsenal have offered £280,000 a week. The German midfielder has been holding out for £350,000 a week, but has been unable to generate genuine interest elsewhere, unlike Alexis Sanchez. Meanwhile, Per Mertesacker and Olivier Giroud were ruled out of the friendly against Bayern Munich on Wednesday, which Arsenal won 3-2 on penalties after a 1-1 draw. Sead Kolasinac was also forced off before half-time after being sick. Arsene Wenger thought it was food poisoning but the club’s medical team have since said it was a stomach bug unconnected to anything they have eaten. Arsenal flew to Beijing from Shanghai yesterday for the final leg of their four-match tour and a game against Chelsea in the Bird’s Nest Stadium tomorrow.