LONDON, England, September 13- Arsene Wenger has said his future as Arsenal manager will be determined by the success or failure of a new team built around club record signing Mesut Ozil.
Wenger’s contract expires in June and, on the day he unveiled the £42.5million Germany midfielder, the Arsenal boss said his decision to extend his 17-year-old tenure will be based on whether there is a decent return on the club’s huge investment.
Asked on Thursday if he had opened talks over a new contract, the 63-year-old said:
“We are in no hurry. We are in September and my contract finishes in June. There’s a long way to go. There’s no need to plan.
“I’ve said many times I want to do well with this club and, in the end, I will sit down and think how well have I done with the team I have had. That has to be sufficient for me to decide yes or no.
“One of the main judgments you can have about a manager is how well he does with his team.’
Ozil believes he can end the club’s eight-season trophy drought and insists his new side can compete for the Barclays Premier League title this season.
After leaving Real Madrid, Ozil insists he does not view his move to north London as a step down.
“I’m not disappointed. I’m at Arsenal now, which is one of the biggest clubs in the world.
“Of course I had a very good time in Madrid. I have lots of friends there and (had) lots of very good moments. Now I’m in the strongest league in the world and have to prove myself here to continue developing here. This is why I am at the right club.”
Ozil has also accused Real of disrespecting him as he vowed to end Arsenal’s trophy drought.
Real’s decision to part with Ozil has been criticised in Spain. Large sections of the club’s fans have voiced their disapproval at his departure while many of his former team-mates, including Cristiano Ronaldo, have spoken publicly about their shock at the club’s decision.
-By Daily Mail
