Arsenal legend Thierry Henry has urged contract rebel Mesut Ozil to commit his future to the club and become the ‘poster boy of a new golden Arsenal age’.
The former Real Madrid star’s future at the Emirates is looking far from sorted as he is yet to sign a contract extension. The 28-year old, whose current contract with the Gunners expires in 2018, is yet to sign a new deal despite being in negotiations since the start of this season. Reports are suggesting that the Germany international is demanding an improved wage which the club officials are not willing to accept.
Consequently, there are rumours that the playmaker is contemplating the idea of quitting the Gunners but Henry has advised him to stay at the club and help the team to win more silverwares to become an Arsenal legend. Ozil has been one of the most impressive performers for the North London outfit since arriving at the Emirates in 2013 but his trophy haul leaves at London does not justify the talent he possesses. The World Cup-winning midfielder has won two FA Cups so far and Henry believes he will be desperate to win more trophies.
Writing in his column for the Sun, the former France international wrote: “Mesut has won the World Cup with Germany. But at club level, he has only one title, with Real Madrid in 2012. He will be desperate for more.”
“But he can do that at the Emirates. That’s why I’d urge him to stay and become an Arsenal legend.
“Win that first title. Be the future of Arsenal. Not just the assist man, but the guy who drives the team forward. He can do that with Alexis Sanchez. They have to be at the top of their game every single match. They can be those guys. They must believe it. This Arsenal side are not far from winning the title,” he added.
Henry also said that people should respect Ozil’s claims that he would stay at the club only if Arsene Wenger stays.
Henry wrote:“He has said he wants to know if Arsene is staying beyond the summer. Look, I’m an Arsenal fan. For that reason, I’m desperate for him to stay.
“But I understand his predicament. I was in the same situation in 2007 when I joined Barcelona — with a heavy heart. I didn’t know Arsene’s plans, either, as he was coming to the end of a contract then, too.
“People will say it’s all about money for Mesut and that Wenger’s contract is a smokescreen. We don’t know. We have to trust what he says. Respect it,” he added.