Raphael Honigstein: Mesut Ozil will 100 per cent be at Arsenal next season
German football expert Raphael Honigstein doesn't expect Mesut Ozil to leave Arsenal this summer
Mesut Ozil will definitely be at Arsenal next season, according to German football expert Raphael Honigstein.
The former Germany international has struggled to break into the Arsenal team since Spanish head coach Unai Emery took over the reins from Arsene Wenger last summer.
Ozil did manage to secure a starting spot towards the end of the season but the World Cup winner was hauled off during Arsenal’s 4-1 loss to Chelsea FC in the Europa League final last term.
The 30-year-old has two years left to run on his current deal at Arsenal after the attacking midfielder committed to a £350,000-a-week contract in 2018.
Reports on Sunday suggested that Arsenal are hoping to offload Ozil in a £30m deal this summer to get his contract off their wage bill and raise funds for new signings.
But Bundesliga expert Hongistein doesn’t expect Ozil to leave Arsenal this summer as the German playmaker is in a strong position at the north London outfit.
Honigstein told Sky Sports’ Transfer Talk podcast when asked if Ozil will stay at Arsenal: “100 per cent. He is on a contract that it is impossible for any club to match at this stage in his career. He is not going to go to Turkey or China. It’s not in his interest.
“He’s not going to go on loan. Arsenal will have to deal with him. My feeling from his point of view is who knows how long Emery will be there? Maybe in a year’s time, he will be in favour again.
“My sense knowing him and his people a little bit, they feel Arsenal gave him a contract and made him their best paid player. Now let’s see what happens.”
Ozil scored five goals and made two assists in 20 starts and four substitute appearances in the Premier League last season.
The German midfielder netted one goal and created one goal for his team-mates in 10 appearances in the Europa League en route to the showpiece in Baku.
Arsenal finished in fifth spot in the Premier League last term.
