Why It Is Vital Arsenal Hand a New Contract to Midfield Creator Mesut Ozil

Mesut Ozil has been in imperious form for Arsenal this season. Having finally found a way to get the best out of the astonishingly gifted midfielder, Arsene Wenger’s next move must surely be to tie him down to a new long-term contract.

There had been talk than an extension was imminent. However, per Goal.com, Wenger moved to downplay those rumours.

He said: 

"

We have not started to talk about that with Mesut Ozil. With [Alexis] Sanchez it is the same situation.

At the end of the year they have two and a half years on their contracts and we have some time.

We are not in a hurry and we of course want them to stay. 

"

Arsenal may not be in a hurry, but nor should they be too lax. Arsenal have been burnt by players running down their contract before—the likes of Samir Nasri and Robin van Persie were sold for reduced fees with just 12 months remaining on their deals. In the case of Ozil, it’s especially important they get him to sign on the dotted line. 

That’s partly just to protect their investment. When Ozil moved to London from Real Madrid, the Gunners broke their transfer record to do the deal.

An outlay of £42.5 million represents an enormous chunk of cash for any club, and Arsenal cannot afford to run the risk of losing a player with that kind of monetary value for substantially less than they paid.

Kerstin Joensson/Associated Press

There are no indications that Ozil is looking to leave London, but if that situation changed and he agitated for a move, there would be no shortage of suitors. Arsenal must ensure that if such a scenario were to arise, they would be in a strong negotiating position. 

However, you don’t extend Ozil’s deal because you’re hoping to sell him. It goes without saying that Arsenal will be desperate for him to stay, for a variety of reasons.

First and foremost, extending the 27-year-old's deal would be important for the club’s reputation. Signing Ozil was a huge statement: It transformed Arsenal’s reputation both in Britain and abroad. Suddenly, the perception that they were a selling club evaporated, and they became a plausible destination for Europe’s top talent. Would Alexis Sanchez be in north London now had Ozil not blazed that trail? Almost certainly not. 

Kirsty Wigglesworth/Associated Press

Convincing Ozil to re-sign would be another statement of intent. It would show his dedication to the cause and mark a new phase in Arsenal’s rebuilding project. Keeping the Germany international for a further four or five years would effectively reaffirm both player and club’s commitment to making the Gunners great again. 

Beyond these somewhat nebulous reasons of investment and identity, the desire to keep Ozil at the club stems from his growing impact on the pitch. In 2015, there has been a steady improvement in his performances, and he is now operating at a level few players can match.

Ozil appears to have finally adapted to the demands of the English game, and the results have been beautiful to behold.

He’s literally breaking records. By crossing for Olivier Giroud to score in Arsenal’s recent defeat at West Bromwich Albion, Ozil broke new ground in the Premier League by becoming the first player to make an assist in seven consecutive league games. He has now recorded 11 assists in 12 Premier League appearances. That’s nearly double the tally of the nearest contenders (David Silva and Riyad Mahrez have created six goals apiece). 

No player can match his intelligent movement between the lines. Ozil drifts ghost-like into space before making his presence felt with ingenious passing. He is that rare player who not only has the vision to see a pass, but also the technical brilliance to execute it to perfection. For a striker, it’s a dream. For a supporter, it’s a delight.

Kirsty Wigglesworth/Associated Press

Ozil is even delivering match-winning contributions in the biggest games. This season, he has scored crucial strikes against both Manchester United and Bayern Munich. Finally he is delivering what’s expected of a player with a marquee price tag.

Perhaps the secret is that he’s happy. Speaking to Arsenal's website recently, Ozil seemed very content at the Emirates Stadium.

He said: 

"

I’m here to develop myself further and I’ve said in the past that I have the manager’s trust and enjoy that.

My goal is to help the team and I’m on a good way. I’m proud of myself and of the whole team.

We’ve played a successful season up to this and now we need to work on ourselves to make sure that we become more successful. 

"

If the player is happy to stay, that’s a big part of the battle won.

Frank Augstein/Associated Press

Wenger has made a point of constructing his team about Ozil’s talents. He’s developed a system designed to afford the German space to float between midfield and attack. He’s almost entirely devoid of defensive responsibility, focusing instead on setting the tempo for Arsenal’s attacking play.

When Ozil plays, there’s a plan. Arsenal should not be thinking of a strategic restructure anytime soon. 

Tantalisingly, Wenger seems to believe Ozil could yet get better, and he argues that the World Cup winner is about to hit his peak.

Speaking to Sky Sports, he said:

"

Ozil is 27 now. It is the golden age of a football player - 27 to 32 - the age when you know your job.

When you are under 25, you think you can last forever. Once you get to 27 you realise it is time to capitalise on what you have learned and efficiency takes a little bit over the playing mood.

You realise suddenly that it is not only important to play, it is important to win as well.

"

If this is to be the most productive era of Ozil’s celebrated career, Arsenal must ensure it takes place at the Emirates Stadium. If he stays at Arsenal until the age of 32, they will undoubtedly have got the best of the graceful German.

Ozil’s recent improvement already deserves the recognition of a new contract. Watching him perform at Arsenal this season has been a genuine pleasure—for fans and manager alike.

The club should now act quickly to ensure that this blossoming relationship does not come to an untimely close. Ozil’s “golden age” must be with the Gunners.

All stats via Squawka.com.

James McNicholas is Bleacher Report's lead Arsenal correspondent and is following the club from a London base throughout 2015/16. Follow him on Twitter here.