Garth Crooks believes Mesut Ozil leaving Arsenal would guarantee Alexis Sanchez parting company too, which could affect the Gunners’ chances of a top-four finish.

Ozil has found form again at Arsenal, but the prospect of him leaving the club soon remains a likely one. Both he and Alexis are out of contract in the summer and if one goes, the other will surely follow.

That’s what BBC pundit Garth Crooks believes. He told the BBC: “Arsenal have a squad capable of finishing in the top four but the real issue is will Ozil stay at Arsenal? 

“Arsene Wenger insists he will, but he would say that wouldn’t he? If Ozil goes then where does that leave Alexis Sanchez? 

“There is no doubt in my mind that one player gets his inspiration from the other and should Ozil leave then it would almost signal the departure of Sanchez too. 

ozil alexis spurs
Mesut Ozil and Alexis Sanchez against Tottenham Hotspur. (IAN KINGTON/AFP/Getty Images)

“The question both players must be asking themselves is, ‘what is the point of staying at Arsenal?’. 

“It looks like Pep Guardiola and Manchester City could be dominating the Premier League for the next few years.”

There’s no doubt that Ozil and Alexis hold each other in high regard. They constantly seek each other out on the pitch, and their combination play has been responsible for many of Arsenal’s goals.

However, at this stage, Alexis is likely leaving regardless of what Ozil does, in my opinion. While the latter seemed prepared to see out his contract with Arsenal, Alexis was on the verge of joining Manchester City in the summer.

Given Arsenal’s willingness to sell him and his desire to leave, there’s little chance of him sticking around beyond this season. There’s more hope with Ozil, however, who is a lot more positive about the club in the media.

Arsene Wenger recently said he was confident that Ozil would stay. Tellingly, he did not feel the same about Alexis.