Arsene Wenger believes Mesut Ozil is in the best form of his Arsenal career and that is why he deserves a mega new contract.

The Gunners boss is desperate to keep Ozil amid interest from Manchester United and Spanish giants Barcelona , and the club are still hoping to persuade him to sign a new deal to replace the one running out this summer.

Ozil, who scored a wonder-goal in Saturday's 1-0 win over Newcastle, is a global superstar but his value to Arsenal has been regularly questioned since his £42million move from Real Madrid in August 2013.

The north Londoners have already offered the Germany midfielder £275,000-a-week to stay, and Wenger claims his current form proves he is up there with the best in the world game.

Ozil scored Saturday's only goal, volleying a dropping ball — WHILE BACKPEDALLING... (
Image:
Arsenal FC via Getty)
...his looping shot gave keeper Rob Elliot no chance.... (
Image:
Arsenal FC via Getty)
...and reminded his many critics what the German is capable of (
Image:
Kent Gavin)

When asked post-match whether we are now seeing Ozil’s best run of form in an Arsenal shirt, Wenger said: “Yes. Certainly, I think he takes responsibilities and that is what you want from him.

“He is mature, he guides the team, they are aware he is on the ball a lot — always your heart rate goes down when he has the ball.

“Not only his goal but I would say more important is the quality and the influence he has on the collective game.

“You cannot score a goal like that every week, but you can play like he plays usually every week. So that is more important. If he adds that to his game then that is even more important.”

Wenger is convinced Ozil — who is settled in London after four years calling it home — wants to stay, but refused to even discuss whether it was more important for Arsenal to keep him or fellow contract-rebel Alexis Sanchez, who is also set for summer free agency.

“I believe he (Ozil) wants to stay,” said the Frenchman.

“I wouldn’t like to compare. You want nobody to leave and see where we stand on that.

“But at the moment it is very difficult to say. Until the end of the season we know what the situation is, but after that I cannot tell you.”

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