Mesut Ozil says he will make a decision on his future in the summer with major changes expected by Arsenal head coach Mikel Arteta. Ozil is the highest-paid player at the Emirates on £350,000-a-week but since the deal signed in 2018, the playmaker’s form has sharply declined.
The German, who was once Europe’s most prolific goal creator, has provided just four assists in the league since putting pen to paper and scored five goals in that time.
Ozil struggled badly under Unai Emery with question marks about his work ethic constantly raised.
While there has been an improvement under Arteta, it hasn’t been reflected in Ozil’s contribution to the team.
In October 2018, head of football at Arsenal, Raul Sanllehi, made clear that the club would not allow players to enter the final year of the contract.
Finding a club who can take on Ozil’s wage demands will be a difficult task for Arsenal which leaves the hierarchy facing a major decision in the summer.
But Ozil insists he is concentrating on his game and lifting Arsenal into the top four in the league.
“After this season I have one more year, so after that I will know because I can’t see the future,” he told reporters in Dubai.
“The thing I can do is give everything for the team, for myself, to be successful and let’s see what happens.
“What I know is that I will give everything for this club, for my teammates. We’ve had a difficult season, but we want to win games again, to take points, to maybe be in the top four at the end of the season.
“Our goal is to be in Champions League. This year we had difficult times, but I think we’re in a good way.”
Arteta has made sure to give his backing and support to Ozil after the trials and tribulations under Emery and the 31-year-old midfielder says he is feeling good about his game again.
“We didn’t speak to each other, but I know him,” Ozil said.
“We played together under [Arsene] Wenger. He’s just arrived here, but everyone knows what he wants.
“Our goal – or my goal – is to give everything on the pitch to help the team, and I think the coach sees that, because I’m playing.
“My personal goal was always to stay healthy and help the team. This is my goal this season, as well.
“Of course, I had a difficult time under Unai, so I didn’t play. Right now, I’m happy, I’m playing. And let’s see.”