'I've a gut feeling Mesut Ozil is signing a new deal' - Arsenal icon predicts star will stay

Arsenal are likely to get Mesut Ozil to commit to a new contract and avoid another Alexis Sanchez saga, says Perry Groves.

Both men have entered the final 12 months of their respective deals at Emirates Stadium, with neither yet to agree fresh terms.

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Sanchez continues to spark endless rounds of transfer speculation as his future remains squarely under the microscope, with Manchester City and Paris Saint-Germain among his many suitors.

He is yet to return to the Arsenal fold amid the uncertainty – although he is back in England – but Ozil has figured in pre-season and cult hero Groves believes the World Cup winner can be persuaded to extend his stay in north London.

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Groves told bwin: "I wouldn't sell either player. If Alexis wants £350k a week, then give it to him. I would keep them both until January and see where the club is then.

“If we're challenging for the title, then risk keeping them. You don't need to worry about Alexis' attitude on pitch, he doesn't know any other way than to fight. Arsene's comments on players playing for new contracts is right in a way, as players will be thinking about making their respective national teams ahead of the World Cup next summer.

"I have a gut feeling Mesut is signing a new deal. He loves London, he likes being one of the main players and I don't think he'll be indulged as much at other clubs as he is at Arsenal. He needs to turn up in the big games more, like he did against Chelsea in the FA Cup final. When he's on form, there is no more graceful player in the Premier League than Mesut Ozil." 

Ozil has been able to steer clear of the transfer circus which has followed Sanchez around, with the Germany international sparking little exit talk so far.

Groves believes that is because other leading sides are already well-stocked for creative influences, with it now up to Ozil to knuckle down and produce his best for Arsenal.

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He added: "I think it comes down to what other clubs are looking for. Liverpool, City, Chelsea and Spurs probably don't need Ozil as he doesn't suit their style of play.

“It's nothing to do with Ozil's quality, it's more to do with the other teams style of play. When Arsenal lose the ball, he doesn't contribute as much as other players would.

“He's not a luxury player if he's providing assists, scoring goals and creating chances, especially in the big games. If you're contributing and having an effect on the game, you're not a luxury player. If you're not, then you become a luxury player.

“Ozil has created more chances than any other player in Europe over the last five seasons, but he needs to up his consistency. I draw comparisons with Anders Limpar, he was the X-factor that could turn a game on its head and then had an off season."

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It is Ozil’s inconsistency that Groves considers to be a problem, with the two-time First Division title winner conceding that Arsenal would probably opt to keep Sanchez if they had to make a decision between their two star forwards.

He said, when pressed on which of the duo he would retain: "Alexis Sanchez. He works so hard that he's not really a luxury player.

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“The quality is very similar between the two players, but the difference is that when Alexis has a bad game, he's still fighting and trying to win possession back. When Ozil has a bad game, he can disappear completely. Alexis' enthusiasm rubs off on every player, he transcends your team and makes other players fight harder."

Arsenal will face London rivals Chelsea in the Community Shield on Sunday before opening their 2017-18 Premier League campaign with a home date against Leicester on August 11.