Arsenal are facing some big decisions this January transfer window, just as they did twelve months ago when they faced the very real prospect of losing star players Alexis Sanchez and Mesut Ozil for almost nothing. As it turned out they did a decent bit of business swapping Sanchez for Henrikh Mkhitaryan with Manchester United, who have failed to get the best out of the Chilean since his move to the north-west.
Instead, Arsenal made sure they did not lose both of their big-name players and handed Ozil a huge contract extension until 2021, a deal that sees him earn around £350k per week at the Emirates.
That was enough to convince him to sign but he simply has not been performing at the top level since signing that deal and has struggled to find his way into the team under new boss Unai Emery.
Arsenal’s 3-4-2-1 formation under Emery does not seem to suit Ozil and his impact off the bench has been limited in big games. It may seem crazy, but this could be the perfect moment to cut ties with Ozil as they attempt to bring in a younger player who may suit their system.
Cue Isco. The Real Madrid number ten is also struggling to get onto the pitch for new boss Santiago Solari and his preferred 4-3-3 formation leaves Isco struggling for a space in the team. Arsenal have already been linked with the Spaniard in January and with other clubs ruling themselves out of signing the brilliant midfielder, the Gunners could be in line for a stunning move in the winter.
The wages would not be an issue if Arsenal can get rid of Ozil, and a return to Real Madrid may not be a bad idea, with the German often reminiscent of his time at the Santiago Bernabeu.
He said after he had left: “I was really nervous, happy and grateful also because Real Madrid was such a great club. I had dreamed of playing there because my idol, Zinedine Zidane, played for them.”
The 30-year-old may only have a few years left at the pinnacle of European football but Arsenal could offer a player-plus-cash deal to attempt to secure the signing of Isco. The Spaniard providing Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang with ammunition would be frightening.