On Thursday morning stories started to emerge claiming that Mesut Ozil’s Arsenal future would not depend on money but Arsene Wenger and whether the manager remains at the club.

The German has made no secret of the fact that one of the main reasons he joined the club from Real Madrid in the first place was the chance to play under Arsene Wenger, but he’s happy in London now, why would that still matter?

Mesut Ozil is 28.

Should Arsenal hire another manger in the summer, Ozil would turn 29 early in the new man’s first season. With a new manager comes a lot of changes, and while instant success has greeted some, for a manager to follow the tenure of a long-standing boss like Wenger, we quite simply have to be prepared for a number of years rebuilding.

A glance north to United will give us some clues.

Yes, they made mistakes as they tried to replace Sir Alex Ferguson, but there are no guarantees that what Arsenal decide to do will be right.

Ozil doesn’t really have the time to wait around to find out.

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger (L) talks with German midfielder Mesut Ozil during a training session at London Colney in St Albans, north London on 28 September, 2015 before a Group F Champions League football match against Olympiakos. AFP PHOTO/Olly Greenwood
Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger (L) talks with German midfielder Mesut Ozil during a training session at London Colney in St Albans, north London on 28 September, 2015 before a Group F Champions League football match against Olympiakos. AFP PHOTO/Olly Greenwood

His comments back in 2013 lend a lot of credence to the claims that it is about Wenger and not money for the playmaker. “I am really happy to be here under such a great manager,” said Özil.

“That was the most important, what he thinks about me, what his plans are with me, and I decided to come to Arsenal because I have the trust. I would have come here without a fee, that wouldn’t have been a problem.”

‘Without a fee.’

Kinda makes all those reports in the red tops claiming he was demanding Arsenal smash their wage structure to keep him look like they were a bunch of bull, huh?

He added in 2015 “That’s also why I decided to join this club, because I know exactly what the manager wants from the team.

LONDON, ENGLAND - OCTOBER 20: Mesut Oezil of Arsenal celebrates with team mate Nacho Monreal (18) and Arsene Wenger manager of Arsenal as he scores their second goal during the UEFA Champions League Group F match between Arsenal FC and FC Bayern Munchen at Emirates Stadium on October 20, 2015 in London, United Kingdom. (Photo by Shaun Botterill/Bongarts/Getty Images)
LONDON, ENGLAND – OCTOBER 20: Mesut Oezil of Arsenal celebrates with team mate Nacho Monreal (18) and Arsene Wenger manager of Arsenal as he scores their second goal during the UEFA Champions League Group F match between Arsenal FC and FC Bayern Munchen at Emirates Stadium on October 20, 2015 in London, United Kingdom. (Photo by Shaun Botterill/Bongarts/Getty Images)

“He knows exactly how I tick and I know exactly what he thinks of me.

“He has experience and in past years you’ve seen him develop some top players. I get on really well with him and he gives me his trust. I’m thankful to him for that and to be praised by a coach like him means a lot.

“I thank him for that through good performances on the pitch.”

As you can see, it is important to Mesut that he is playing for a manager who not only trusts him, but understands the way he plays. A new manager coming in would throw all that into doubt.

For what it’s worth, I expect both Arsene Wenger and Mesut Ozil to sign new deals to remain at the club.

Those who want Wenger removed from Arsenal will be dismayed to learn that there is a new deal on the table, waiting for him to sign. But it cannot be ignored the draw he offers the club.

Should he leave, there is no guarantee the likes of Ozil, Sanchez, Bellerin and more would not follow him out the door to bigger clubs who would gladly sign snap them up.

It may not be Arsene FC, but he is certainly a major reason why so many of these players come to the club and, perhaps more importantly, stay.