Mesut Ozil Reportedly Signs New Contract at Arsenal Amid Exit Rumours

Mesut Ozil has reportedly signed a new three-and-a-half-year contract with Arsenal, ending speculation about his future. 

David Ornstein of BBC Sport reported Ozil signed a new deal worth around £350,000 on Wednesday morning after agreeing to terms over the weekend.

Previously, Chris Wheatley of Goal reported the Germany international would pen the extension in the coming days, with his current terms set to expire at the end of the season.

The playmaker is said to be impressed by the January recruitment carried out by the club, with Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang having joined the club along with Henrikh Mkhitaryan as a midseason arrival. Ozil is reportedly settled in London and wants to stay in the city after he gets married in the summer.

While Alexis Sanchez, whose contract was also set to expire at the end of the season, always appeared destined to leave Arsenal, there has been more hope that Ozil would commit his future to the club.

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There have been rumours about a possible exit, with John Cross of the Daily Mirror reporting earlier in the campaign that both Manchester United and Barcelona were interested in the former Real Madrid man.

Ozil has decided his long-term future is at the Emirates Stadium, though, and that will improve the mood of Arsenal supporters in what has been another frustrating season. As relayed by TifoFootball, the German has been one of the most creative players on the continent this term:

There aren't many players in the game who can provide what Ozil does when he's at his best.

The midfielder is an incredible technician and has such sharp footballing instincts. On the pitch he's always able to find space, bring team-mates into the game and make incisive passes into dangerous areas.

Although, as noted by the Copa90 Twitter account, at times the playmaker can be let down by those around him:

Ozil is not without his critics, and there are times when he could do more. After all, the midfielder has a reputation for being on the periphery of big games, while his languid style can often paint the picture of a player disinterested when things aren't going well.

Even so, to lose him for nothing at the end of the season would have been disappointing for the Gunners, and news that he is close to a new deal will be well received. 

Arsenal fans looking ahead will be excited to see how Ozil links up with the likes of Mkhitaryan and Aubameyang for the remainder of the season and beyond.

The Gunners will be getting the best years from their No. 11, and that's an exciting prospect given the form he's showcased so far in 2017-18. If Arsenal are going to become a major force in the Premier League again, it's imperative talents like Ozil remain at the football club.