It’s not just Ozil and Alexis that Arsenal need to tie up to new contracts

When you talk about the prospect of new contracts at Arsenal Football Club, only two names really spring to mind. Mesut Ozil and Alexis Sanchez, arguably the two biggest talents and fan favourites at the club are nearing closer to being in a difficult situation contract wise. Both players have deals that will be nearing their expiration date soon, and as a result there is a lot of pressure for Arsene Wenger and co to begin intense negotiations to get the players to sign new contracts with the club.

The issue is that it isn’t quite so simply as to say ‘sign on the dotted line’, especially considering that reports suggest both players are demanding wages that Arsenal aren’t necessarily willing to offer. It’s understood from the latest reports doing the rounds that both players are keen to earn over £300k per week, although of course this remains unconfirmed. It would be a massive financial decision for the club to make and one that could prove vital to the likelihood of short term success.

But would it surprise you to know that these aren’t the only two players that Arsenal are fearful of in regards to soon to expire deals, with at least another ‘six or seven’ big name players at the club all having deals that currently run until the summer of 2018. In addition to Alexis and Ozil, Arsenal also have to look into the contracts of Mertesacker, Cazorla, Oxlade-Chamberlain, Gibbs and Debuchy; whilst also not forget those on loan in Wilshere and Szczesny.

In my opinion, Mertesacker may not be offered a new deal due to age and fitness, whilst Cazorla may also face the same fate if he cannot get over his persistent injury concerns. Debuchy is very unlikely to get a new contract, but I’d expect Gibbs and Chamberlain to be relatively high on the priority list. Szczesny’s future may hang in the balance, but i think Wenger will bring the shotstopper back to replace either Cech or Ospina in the not too distant future. Wilshere will also be offered a new deal.

According to the Metro, Arsene Wenger was able to confirm that the Gunners have plenty of contract negotiations lined up, with the club looking to extend many contracts as soon as possible. Wenger is quoted as saying: ‘That explains to you why we have a lot of work to do, but you are only interested in two cases [Ozil and Alexis]. There are six or seven cases at the moment, but that is the usual case — it is every year like that. We have started talking to Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain and we start as well, and will extend certainly, with Santi Cazorla.’

Despite initial feelings that Cazorla may have to prove his fitness, it seems Wenger is willing to offer the Spaniard a new deal, although it’s likely to be the one year extension Le Prof is famous for offering 30+ year old players. Cazorla is still very valuable to our team and we don’t seem to play the same way without him so it’ll be extremely good for the Gunners if he manages to prove that fitness isn’t becoming an issue for him. An extension for Oxlade-Chamberlain is also welcomed by the club, especially after a good spell of form this season.

2018 may seem like a while away now, but with 2017 just around the corner it leaves Arsenal around 18 months to negotiate new deals. With more and more players from today’s game frequently running down their deals to get the move they want or to leave for free, it is a real concern if Arsenal haven’t tied up their contracts with a year to go.
Assuming that Ozil and Alexis are the main priority, who should Arsene Wenger consider talking to next?

By AH

9 Comments

  1. I believe no one like a particular player does not exist but what eventually comes out of Sanchez and ozil’s contact issue will be a statement on arsenal’s image and motives among other European football power houses and among football fans worldwide

  2. I think we should definitely sign up Gibbs and the Ox. I like the BFG but I think any starting eleven he is in will be cause for concern. Besides Holding as done reasonably well with Chambers to come back next season as well. Wenger has notoriously extended contracts of ageing injured players in the past (Arteta, Rosicky, to name a recent few) and I think BFG and Cazorla fall into that category- the difference with Cazorla is he improves the side when he is in it. BFG doesn’t.
    Debuchy’s Arsenal career was a non starter and like Diaby I really wish him well for the future.
    Wilshere’s case is more sentimental- Eddie Howe rested him in the defeat at the weekend because of the number of games played/upcoming fixtures and Burnley’s Championship style full blooded approach. At the end of the day, he is English and valuable to the club- but more valuable if he is on a longer term contract.
    Szczesny should be sold with a Morata style buy back clause.
    I thought Ramsey had 18 months left too? Was he not part of that “British Core” photo where they all renewed a couple of years back? Gibbs/Ox/Wilshere/Jenko/Ramsey?

  3. wenger has already confirmed that he will take up the one more year option on carzola,s contract so it’s sorted!!

  4. I am almost convinced that Ozil and Sanchez contracts will depend pretty much on Wenger’s contract. I don’t mind Wenger retiring but it will take some effort for the new manager to keep these two here knowing that Wenger does not even say a word to these two (and rightly so).
    Look, there is life after Sanchez and Ozil, if the club manages to get a good CEO instead of this effin’ weasel Gazidis is (you do know he is a genuine City fan, do you?) and if they get a young, smart and bold manager to which they give the time, at least two seasons then yes, you turned the page over the most glorious era of the Arsenal Football Club.

  5. Ozil and Sanchez are the main concern for me as I see others following suit as they want to play with world class players. So both their signatures are key. Offer them 250,000 quid per week. We have the money.

  6. BR reporting that Giroud and Coquelin have signed new deals. Koscielny to sign very soon!

    The media are just focussing on those 2.

  7. Sorry to say but practically Arsenal don’t have 18 months to negotiate new deals.

    Allowing contract talks to drag into the final 12 months means we would have to let those players go on the free. This would be stupid and unlike a “business/Finance first – trophies second” type of owner and manager.

    This means you really should decide if you are going to pay what is needed before the transfer window opens. Ones the transfer window opens and we have not signed Sanchez and Ozil the risks go up. The risks their heads will be turned by the likes of City or Chelsea strengthening them in holding out for their “ask”. But also you risk not giving yourself time to sell them for a good price (need to get a bidding war going) and you don’t leave yourself time to find proper replacements.

    So IMO the pressure is on with respect to Sanchez and Ozil, the longer the clock ticks without signing them the more risks will join the process.

    18 months is when their contracts expire, 6 months is when we should have signed them to new ones.

  8. It’s going to be busy so I’m not expecting new 1st team additions I would rather our efforts focused on retaiming important players.

    debuchy should be sold in January if possible. Monaco would be a good move for debuchy as part of a deal with us getting young Keilan mbappe.

    Sanogoo is another one who we can get rid of as part of the deal to get albin lafont (at 17 one of the best teen gk around) from toulouse. We could even loan them a up and coming player such as adelaide, bielek or bentacur.

Comments are closed

Top Blog Sponsors