Mesut Ozil: Latest News and Rumours on Talks with Arsenal

Arsenal are ready to offer club-record signing Mesut Ozil a contract improvement to commit his long-term future to life in the Premier League. After initially struggling in north London, Ozil has become arguably the Gunners' most important player.

Continue for updates.

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Ozil Comments on Potential New Deal

Wednesday, Dec. 23

"There is no rush to sign a new contract," Ozil told Kicker (h/t ESPN FC). He continued:

"

My current deal runs until 2018. That is still two-and-a-half years. There are no talks at the moment. 

I can only say that I am very happy in London. My decision to leave Real Madrid for Arsenal was the right one. 

There has not been a single day, apart from whenever I was injured, that I did not feel great here.

"

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Ozil Set for Historic Contract

Saturday, Dec. 12

"Arsenal are close to agreeing a new contract with Mesut Ozil worth a staggering £51.5 million," reported Wayne Veysey of Football Insider.

"Ozil is in talks with the London club about a deal that will elevate his basic salary by £50,000-a-week to £180,000-a-week and make him comfortably the best-paid player in Arsenal’s history."

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Ozil's Quality Finally Shining Through for Gunners

Ozil's performances have exuded class. His creative output has been prolific—record-breaking, actually, as OptaJoe detailed:

But that number is just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to Ozil's run as a supplier of chances. He is a master at finding space and creating opportunities from very little. His vision, and indeed incisive passing, is arguably unmatched in the Premier League.

Part of the reason Ozil is fashioning so many scoring opportunities this season is that he's frequently drifting into excellent crossing positions. His delivery from wide areas is varied, precise and deadly, particularly from set pieces.

This work is further proof of the efforts Ozil has been making to overcome his stunted first season at Arsenal. Now he's the player Gunners chief Arsene Wenger deemed to be worth £42.4 million.

As the most dominant creative force in England's top flight, he is essential to Arsenal's title challenge and worth keeping around for as long as possible.