Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger has begged midfielder Mesut Ozil to hurry up in putting pen to paper on a new contract at the Emirates, saying that the German could become a club legend if he sticks around for a few more years.
Ozil has been one of the Gunners' stars in their strong start to the season across all competitions, rounding off their Champions League game against Ludogorets in midweek with a stunning solo winner.
3. Arsene Wenger thinks Mesut Ozil can be JUST like Dennis Bergkamp¦ if he signs a new deal https://t.co/5OHNh52lGO pic.twitter.com/3v5LngXRTp
In quotes published by theMirror, Wenger said this week:There are similarities with Bergkamp. I think he can become a legend - if he commits.Dennis Bergkamp committed for a long period, played until he was 38. I wish we have ten more years of Ozil. That depends. To become a legend at the club you need to stay for a long time.
I understand that being a legend like Dennis Bergkamp, if you stay two years you would not be a legend. We work on it (the contract), we work on it.�
I believe he is at an age he is more mature," he added. "He is 28. The difference today is he focuses more on efficiency. When he arrived here he was more a player to play, focused on playing.Today efficiency is more in his mind. The main transformation we got from him, he makes more runs in behind to score goals.
The evolution of Mesut Ozil at Arsenal. Piece on Wenger's modern master. https://t.co/qzW2Xg0mTA
He continued:The timing of his runs is good. In training I noticed he is a very good finisher. When you have that in your locker you have to try to get it out. Slowly, he now realises that.
On top of that he has a fantastic attribute of a guy who is a good finisher - he is calm. You notice all the finishers are killers. That means they keep their nerve in front of goal and he has that.
🇩🇪 Mesut Ozil#TheBest FIFA Men's Player Award 2016 Candidate
Most assists in 2015/16 @PremierLeague
Info: https://t.co/hMPzsJ6sS7 pic.twitter.com/hAm9JQze0s
He pushes himself much more. He has that in him as well. Sometimes the trap for very talented players is it is easy for them.They know subconsciously they don't need to push themselves too hard to be efficient. It's so easy. I can't tell you because I was never in that situation!
Where he lives he is certainly in London. It is difficult not to be happy in London. I believe that happiness that a player has when he plays comes out by his performance. I hope he is happy.�
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