Arsenal legend Nigel Winterburn has revealed the criteria that will decide whether playmaker Mesut Ozil will stay at the club beyond this summer.

According to him, new Mikel Arteta will have a discussion with Mesut Ozil in the summer and the outcome will determine whether or not the German will see out the final year of his contract at Arsenal.

It was revealed that Mikel Arteta will weigh up the defensive capability Ozil adds to the team before making his decision this summer.

Nigel Winterburn spoke to gentingbet about Mikel Arteta and Mesut Ozil.

Ozil has been at Arsenal since the summer of 2013 following his big money move from Real Madrid in the Spanish top flight.

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Arsenal paid around £42m for Mesut Ozil and it was their club-record as at then. That record has since been broken three times.

The arrival of Ozil ushered in a new era at Arsenal under legendary manager Arsene Wenger. The Gunners had gone eight years without any form of trophy but that ended with the presence of Ozil that season as the North London club went on to win the 2014 FA Cup title after their come from behind win over Hull City in the final.

Mesut Ozil has been the main man at Arsenal throughout his career at the club until the start of last season when Unai Emery replaced Arsene Wenger as the Gunners boss. The German World Cup winner struggled to get along with Unai Emery and that saw him play a small role under the Spanish manager.

Ozil was dropped from the Arsenal squad for several games under Unai Emery but that situation has changed for the better under Mikel Arteta within two months of his appointment.

He scored his first goal of this season in the league win over Newcastle United last weekend.

Arsenal have been warned that they might need to cash out on star striker Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang this summer.

According to club legend Nigel Winterburn via Gentingbet, the Gunners will need to sell Aubameyang in the summer if he does not extend his contract at the club.

The Arsenal skipper has just one year left on his Arsenal deal at the moment and his long-term future at the Emirates Stadium is in serious doubt.

Aubameyang addressed those transfer rumours of a move away from Arsenal earlier this season as he pointed out that his commitment is to the North London club especially since the arrival of new manager Mikel Arteta.

Former Gunners midfielder Mikel Arteta has been able to turn the fortunes of Arsenal around for the better in comparison to where the club was when he took over the first team in December 2019.

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According to ex-Arsenal left-back Nigel Winterburn, his former club might need to settle for a transfer fee of £40m for Aubameyang this summer and that they have to sell him to avoid a free transfer move when his contract expires in 2021.

Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang left Borussia Dortmund in Germany for Arsenal in January 2018 in a £57m deal. His transfer was a club record as at then.

Since his transfer to Arsenal, the Gabonese international has scored 58 goals in 94 matches in all competitions. In addition, he has 13 assists from those games.

Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang has spent a large portion of his playing time on the wings as present and past Arsenal managers have not been able to accommodate him and Alexandre Lacazette upfront at the same time.

His position might not influence his decision as to the Gunners’ failure to qualify for Champions League football since he became an Arsenal player.

Manchester United and Barcelona have both been touted as his next destination in recent weeks.

The top centre back target for Arsenal ahead of this summer’s transfer window has been revealed via popular German newspaper SportBild.

According to the popular media portal, Bayer Leverkusen defender Jonathan Tah is the top centre back target for the Gunners later this year.

It was further disclosed that Jonathan Tah has a release clause of £40m.

The Arsenal defence has been shaky in the past years but there have been signs of improvement in recent times under new manager Mikel Arteta.

Under Arteta, Arsenal have conceded just seven goals in eight appearances in the Premier League.

In addition, the Gunners signed two defenders in the January winter transfer market.

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Cedric Soares and Pablo Mari joined the Gunners on respective loan deals last month but they are yet to make an appearance for their new team.

Portuguese international right-back Cedric Soares is presently injured as a result of the knee injury sustained last month during the league game between his former club Southampton and visitors Crystal Palace.

He joined Arsenal on loan from the Saints on deadline day of last month’s transfer window.

Cedric Soares is expected to return to full fitness by the end of February.

For Pablo Mari, the Spanish centre back signed on loan from Brazilian Serie A giants Flamengo last month after the Gunners paid around £4m for the transfer with the option of a permanent transfer for £8m this summer.

He has already played for the Arsenal u23s during the 2-1 loss to the Chelsea u23s earlier this week.

Arsenal have been linked with a lot of centre backs ahead of this summer including the aforementioned Jonathan Tah.

Apart from the German international, the Gunners are also interested in RB Leipzig star Dayot Upamecano and Premier League star Nathan Ake who is on the payroll of Bournemouth.

Arsenal have made an enquiry for Villarreal winger Samuel Chukwueze according to one of their former players, Santi Cazorla.

Villarreal midfielder Santi Cazorla was an Arsenal player for six years until the summer of 2018 when the then new manager Unai Emery decided to let him leave the club on a free transfer after two years of several injury setbacks.

At one point, doctors told Santi Cazorla that it would be hard for him to play football again but the Spanish international was able to recover from what was the lowest part of his football career.

Cazorla has since returned to full fitness and he’s a big player for Villarreal in the Spanish La Liga. The midfielder has also returned to the Spanish national team setup.

Arsenal officials have contacted Santi Cazorla to enquire about Super Eagles star Samuel Chukwueze as confirmed by the ex-Gunners player during his last interview via the Daily Express.

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The Gunners are not the only club interested in Samuel Chukwueze who was part of the Super Eagles squad to last summer’s African Cup of Nations (AFCON) in Egypt.

Samuel Chukwueze and Nigeria finished the tournament in third place.

Apart from Arsenal, Chelsea and Liverpool are also keen on the Villarreal star.

On Samuel Chukwueze, Santi Cazorla revealed that the Nigerian player has the quality to represent Arsenal before adding that the winger is on the payroll of Villarreal.

Arsenal have started their plans for the summer as regards new players though the focus would be mainly on the defensive side of things.

The Gunners were able to strengthen their squad in the last transfer window with the capture of both Pablo Mari and Cedric Soares on respective loan deals.

The two players will go a long way to boost North Londoners Arsenal on the defensive side of things.

North London giants Arsenal have improved significantly on the defensive front since new manager Mikel Arteta was appointed in December 2019.

The Gunners were known for their numerous defensive errors before Mikel Arteta returned to the club as a manager. He was at Arsenal for five years before he retired from football.

Arsenal have conceded just seven goals in eight games in the Premier League under Mikel Arteta. He has been able to improve the Arsenal defenders but that has not stopped him from strengthening that part of his team.

The Gunners signed two defenders in January 2020 and more will follow this summer.

Arsenal signed Portuguese international player Cedric Soares on loan till this summer when he’ll become a free transfer. Right-back Cedric Soares is still injured and yet to make his debut for the club.

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The Gunners also signed a new centre back in Pablo Mari who joined on loan from Flamengo in Brazil. He’s also yet to make an appearance for Arsenal though the Spaniard played for the Arsenal reserves on Monday night.

Despite the signings of Cedric Soares and Pablo Mari, Arsenal and Mikel Arteta are still expected to sign more defenders. Here are four potential defensive signings.

1. Dayot Upamecano

The French junior international is a major defensive target for the North Londoners who tried to sign him last summer. His German club RB Leipzig rejected a big money move for him from the Gunners last summer. He has one year left on his RB Leipzig contract meaning that the Gunners have a good chance of signing him this summer.

2. Nathan Ake

Bournemouth defender is also a top target for Arsenal. The likes of Chelsea, Manchester City and Tottenham Hotspur are also interested in him.

3. Lewis Dunk

The Brighton skipper is a transfer target for London clubs Arsenal and Chelsea.

Arsenal officials are reportedly expecting offers for three of their best players in the summer.

According to the Daily Mirror, the Gunners are expecting bids for star players Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, Bernd Leno and Alexandre Lacazette.

Arsenal skipper Aubameyang will have just one year left on his contract at the Emirates Stadium and the Gabonese international is almost expected to leave this summer as he wants to play Champions League football once again.

Aubameyang addressed the transfer rumours linking him with other clubs as he said that his focus is on Arsenal.

He has not played Champions League football since joining the club from German Bundesliga side Borussia Dortmund at the start of 2018 for a then world-record of £57m.

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Aubameyang has been the leading goalscorer at Arsenal since his arrival from Germany and the club won’t have any choice but to sell him in the summer if he fails to sign a new contract unless officials are ready to let him walk away for free in 2021 when his contract expires.

On Bernd Leno, the Arsenal goalkeeper has been one of the best players at the club this season as he has been able to maintain his quality in front of a shaky backline.

He has spent just two seasons at Arsenal whom the German international joined from Bundesliga outfit Bayer Leverkusen in a £19m deal.

Lastly, Arsenal striker Alexandre Lacazette will have two years left on his Gunners’ deal this summer, and he could be the subject of transfer interest from other clubs as his future at the Emirates Stadium is far from being certain.

Lacazette has endured a largely frustrating season that has seen him fail to score since the start of this year. He could redeem himself when Arsenal play hosts to Newcastle United in their next league game this weekend.

Arsenal are reportedly in a three-horse race for young goalkeeper Brad Young who plays his club football for National League side Hartlepool.

According to The Sun, the 17-year-old Hartlepool shot-stopper is also a target for both Premier League rivals Manchester United and Chelsea.

It was also revealed that these clubs (Chelsea and Manchester United) are prepared to make a six-figure bid for the player.

Brad Young is a 6ft 4in goalkeeper and he became prominent after he was invited to the England national team setup.

He would definitely be a signing for the future if one of the three clubs decide to sign him.

Manchester United, Chelsea and Arsenal all have several first-team goalkeepers on their books at the moment.

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For Manchester United, Spanish international David De Gea is the first choice shot-stopper at Old Trafford, but his position is increasingly coming under serious threat from Sergio Romero who is widely regarded as one of the best second choice goalkeepers in European football. Also, Dean Henderson is also closing in on a first-team role with the Red Devils.

England national team player Dean Henderson is on a season-long loan deal at Sheffield United from Manchester United. He has been one of the best goalkeepers in the Premier League this season with nine clean sheets.

No other Premier League goalkeeper has more clean sheets than Dean Henderson this season. He is on loan for the season for the second time at Sheffield United from Manchester United.

At Chelsea, first-choice goalkeeper Kepa Arrizabalaga is under serious pressure after some below-average performances in the Premier League this season and he could leave the club this summer. The Spaniard has lost his place for 38-year-old shot-stopper Willy Caballero.

Bernd Leno and Emiliano Martinez are the first choice and second choice goalkeepers at Arsenal respectively.

Several Arsenal fans are anticipating the introduction of new signing Pablo Mari into the starting XI and they could get their wish when the Gunners play hosts to Newcastle United this weekend.

Spanish defender Pablo Mari signed for Arsenal in January after the club reached an agreement for him to move to North London on loan for the remainder of this campaign and many Gunners Faithfuls believe that the 26-year-old could be the answer to a notoriously shaky defence.

Arsenal paid around £4m for the loan transfer and it could be made permanent in the summer for £8m.

Pablo Mari was an unknown quantity in the Premier League during his three years at English champions Manchester City as he spent a lot of time on loan at clubs in Spain and the Netherlands.

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His football status changed upon his transfer from England to Brazil last summer. Flamengo paid £1m for him and the move was exactly what he needed to get to his next level in his football career.

Pablo Mari won two titles in just six months with Flamengo and he was the main man in the defence for the Brazilian Serie A club.

The Spaniard was the defensive coordinator for Flamengo during his short stay at the club and he could add the same quality to an Arsenal defence vastly improving under new manager Mikel Arteta.

Arsenal had one of the worst defensive records in the top ten on the Premier League table but that has improved since Arteta became the Gunners boss in December 2019.

The Gunners have recorded two clean sheets in seven league games under Arteta. The defence has let in just six goals during that time.

Pablo Mari could even improve that defensive stats the more as he could add defensive organisation, better passing accuracy and balance to the team.