Arsenal: Alexis, Ozil Have No Reason To Put Off Contracts
Arsenal has won the transfer window by answering all of their pressing needs, now they must turn to extending Alexis and Ozil, which should be simple enough.
Most of Arsenal‘s stresses have been put in the rear-view mirror. After a decade of skimping the defense, poorly equipping the attack and maintaining an undersized midfield, Arsene Wenger has buckled down and answered all question in one fell swoop.
For the attack, he added Lucas Perez, meaning that Arsenal, when fully healthy, has three fully-capable strikers with Chuba Akpom on the periphery.
For the defense, he added Rob Holding and Shkodran Mustafi, providing so much depth that he even had to loan out Calum Chambers.
And then in the midfield, we have future captain Granit Xhaka joining January signing Mohamed Elneny, which is so much added steel that Jack Wilshere had to be loaned out.
But the troubles aren’t over yet. Now Arsenal must turn their attention to locking in Alexis and Mesut Ozil for the long haul. I made the assumption that they would ride out this year and decide next summer what they were going to do, but with the show of ambition and ruthlessness from Wenger this summer, they should have their answer.
Alexis has frequently noted that Arsenal lacks hunger and drive, but have you seen Granit Xhaka lately? The man has hunger and drive for days.
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Mesut Ozil continually reasserts his love for the club, but without the right cast of characters, the greatest creative mind in the world will seek trophies elsewhere.
Wenger has finally delivered a full cast that Alexis and Ozil can get behind. So much so that they really have no reason not to sign contracts now. If both of them still buy into Wenger’s vision, which hasn’t changed, and if both still believe in Arsenal’s philosophy as well as the need to succeed in England, than there is no excuse. Put pen to paper and put your money where your mouth is.
It’s clear how much Wenger needs his two stars. Alexis and Ozil came together at long last against Watford and it led to a brilliant display of offensive ingenuity. The two combined for some ridiculous play, but it wasn’t them alone that had the fun. Theo Walcott, Granit Xhaka and Santi Cazorla all got in on the action, which should reinforce that this Arsenal team is in good shape.
Yet, for as much as Arsenal needs them, they similarly need Arsenal. This offense is built around Mesut Ozil. It took him near two years to get this far and at nearly 28 years old, his best years are going to be spent here at the Emirates. He’s already gotten cozy so why not stick with one of the biggest clubs in the world? He isn’t going to have a better chance to win the Premier League and he knows this to be the top competition in the world of football.
The same goes for Alexis. He’s been with Barcelona. He wants to be the best in the best, also known as the best player in the best league. Wenger will always allow Alexis to flex his creativity and the set up has grown to favor him as well.
According to reports, Mustafi’s arrival may push Ozil to sign a new contract rather soon, while Alexis is being hinted at having ‘positive’ contract talks as well. They are both embedded here and the ambition has been shown. Sign the contracts. Put this nonsense to rest.
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