Oezil: Contract talks can wait

Apr 14, 2017 08:21 pm

Arsenal’s Mesut Oezil does not want contract talks to distract the club in the crucial run-in to the end of the season.

The German midfielder has said discussion will wait until the Premier League campaign is over before discussing his future.

Oezil’s place at the club has been the subject of much speculation in British media, with reports suggesting the 28-year-old, whose contract runs out in less than 15 months, is refusing to sign a new deal of around ‎£250,000 (S$437,200) per week.

Arsenal are sixth in the league, seven points behind fourth-placed Manchester City, who have played a game more.

“At this stage I’m not important, what’s important is the club,” Oezil told British media.

“We’ve still got a lot to aim for this season, to try and finish in the top four. “It would be wrong to think about anything other than the football and then we can talk again at the end of the season.”

Manager Arsene Wenger is out of contract at the end of the season and calls for Frenchman to end his 20-year reign at the club grew louder after they suffered their fifth loss in eight league games at Crystal Palace on Monday.

Oezil said Wenger was the main reason he had decided to join the club from Real Madrid in 2013. “As players we cannot decide who manages the club.” he added. I’ve always said he was the most important reason in me coming here.”

Oezil, the club’s record signing, has faced fierce criticism following several below-par displays this term, leading to questions being raised about the German’s attitude.

“Maybe my style sometimes does make it look like I’m not 100 percent there,” he said.