Mesut Ozil sends message to Arsenal fans about Alexis Sanchez
The Arsenal midfielder wants to see Alexis Sanchez stay at the Emirates Stadium beyond the summer transfer window
Mesut Ozil it would hit Arsenal “hard” if Alexis Sanchez left the north London club this summer.
The Chile international’s future has been a source of relentless debate throughout the 2016-17 Premier League season and the summer transfer window so far.
Sanchez has failed to agree a contract extension with the north London side to open up the possibility of the forward leaving before the start of the new season – or on a free transfer next summer.
The 28-year-old has been heavily linked with a move to Arsenal’s title rivals Manchester City and Bundesliga giants Bayern Munich but a deal has failed to materialise.
Arsenal are currently in Australia but Sanchez has been given some additional time off given the South American’s participation in the Confederations Cup with Chile last month.
World Cup winner Ozil admitted that he doesn’t want to see Sanchez leave and highlighted his continued appreciation of the attacker.
“I hope Alexis stays but I don’t know what the status is to be perfectly honest,” Ozil said during Arsenal’s kit launch in Sydney on Tuesday.
“But I value him a lot as a player and he’s very well-suited to the game Arsenal play.
“From a personal view I would really appreciate it if he stays. However, it’s the player’s decision after all and there’s not much more I can comment on that.
“It would hit the team quite hard if he left because he’s a player who always delivers. It would be a setback to winning the title but in the end, it’s the player’s decision.”
Sanchez scored 24 times in 37 games in the Premier League last season to help Arsenal finish in fifth place in the table.
