Arsenal Transfer News: Mesut Ozil Comments on Future Amid Latest Gunners Rumours

Mesut Ozil has cast doubt on his Arsenal future, despite insisting he is happy at the north London club. The German playmaker has stated he still has ambitions to fulfil with the Gunners but has left the door ajar for a possible exit.

Speaking to French magazine Surface (h/t the Daily Mirror's Liam Corless), Ozil said: "In the future you can never know in football."

This line jarred somewhat with the message of reassurance that had come before from the 27-year-old: "I am under contract with Arsenal and I am very happy to be here now," said Ozil. "I do not think about the future, I just think my current situation. I have goals for Arsenal."

Ozil has been linked more than once with a move to La Liga giants Barcelona this summer. Back in March, Spanish source AS (h/t the Mirror's Corless) suggested the Camp Nou club were already working on a deal.

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Yet, despite the rumours, and Ozil's own words, the Gunners appear confident they can secure the schemer's long-term future at the Emirates Stadium, even though the club's record signing has just two years left to run on his current deal.

Wayne Veysey of Football Insider has reported how Ozil is one of three players, along with forward Alexis Sanchez and midfielder Jack Wilshere, set to earn contract extensions this summer.

But the question is should Arsenal be in a hurry to tie Ozil down? 

It's not entirely clear whether Wenger should worry because it's still not certain Ozil is the right fit for Arsenal.

Wenger's brand of attractive, intricate, possession-based football needs a player more comfortable roaming between the lines and sending passes through the middle. Cesc Fabregas and Dennis Bergkamp were the prime examples.

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Ozil always seems best suited to a counter-attacking mode of play, one at odds with the possession-heavy mantra Wenger still adores. The Frenchman recently reinforced his belief that possession is key, despite the success of champions Leicester City's approach, per the Guardian's Amy Lawrence: "Over a longer period, possession will still dominate."

Of course, Ozil's 18 league assists this campaign, per WhoScored.com, suggest he's well-equipped for this type of game. But he's gone well off the boil since the turn of the year.

While many would contend a lack of quality strikers—highlighted by Olivier Giroud's struggles—is to blame, MailOnline writer Adrian Durham believes the player will never completely adapt to England's top flight:

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Coming to the end of his third season at the Emirates, it's fair to say Ozil still hasn't cracked it in the Premier League. He's convinced us he is capable of brilliance, absolutely. But consistency over a season, stamina to last the pace, and the willingness to dig in and fight are just nowhere to be seen in his locker.

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With Ozil content to offer hints he could move on, Wenger ought to think about accelerating the process, provided the right offer comes in. He can't ignore the many needs in this Arsenal squad, mainly centre-forward and centre-back, needs that could be solved with ready cash raised from a big sale.

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It's not as if Wenger is lacking for technical quality in midfield, with Jack Wilshere and Santi Cazorla back from injury. But his struggle to fit his many pass-masters around the talents of Ozil has led to a crippling imbalance at the heart of his teams during the last three seasons.

How Wenger solves that problem should determine how long Ozil stays at Arsenal.