Mesut Özil has confirmed that he wants to remain with Arsenal this summer, though he admits the decision isn’t entirely down to him.

LONDON, ENGLAND - FEBRUARY 24: Mesut Ozil of Arsenal controls the ball during the Premier League match between Arsenal FC and Southampton FC at Emirates Stadium on February 23, 2019 in London, United Kingdom. (Photo by Richard Heathcote/Getty Images)
LONDON, ENGLAND – FEBRUARY 24: Mesut Ozil of Arsenal controls the ball during the Premier League match between Arsenal FC and Southampton FC at Emirates Stadium on February 23, 2019, in London, United Kingdom. (Photo by Richard Heathcote/Getty Images)

Özil signed a three-and-a-half year contract to stay with Arsenal last January, meaning that by the summer he’ll have two years left. If the Gunners want to avoid players running their deals down to their final year, as the higher-ups have previously suggested will be the case, that could mean a decision on the playmaker’s future this summer.

That doesn’t necessarily mean he’ll leave, as he could also sign a new contract, and perhaps Arsenal don’t feel Özil’s market value is as high as his value to the team right now anyway. Still, it’s sparking some rumours around the German’s future, which he’s keen to put to bed.

“Absolutely (I want to stay),” Özil said (via Thursday’s Daily Mail). “I’ve got two more years on my contract. I don’t know after that but I’ve got two years left. Yes (I am happy here). Why not? I’m 30 now, I’ve still got years in front of me. It’s down to the club as well of course.”

Daily Mail 2nd May 2019
Daily Mail / 2nd May 2019

As for the rumours about the 30-year-old’s relationship with Unai Emery, Özil was similarly insistent that there wasn’t a problem, and he’s mostly just frustrated he keeps missing games through injury.

“Definitely not. There’s always speculation, everyone inside knew that our situation is positive,” Özil continued. “It’s frustrating. I want to play in every game. Through injury, I’ve missed games but that’s football. The coach makes decisions which means you may not start but you have to keep going.”

Nonetheless, Özil has still managed over 30 appearances this season, even if he would have liked a few more. Let’s hope he can finish it with a trophy in Baku and move onto the new campaign putting this year’s problems behind him.