Arsenal boss reveals why matching players £350,000 per-week wage demands was the cheapest option

Mesut Ozil

Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger has revealed why he opted to meet Mesut Ozil’s contract demands.

The 29-year-old playmaker put pen-to-paper on a three year deal with the north London based club last week. Ozil reportedly earns £350,000 per week, making him the highest paid player in Arsenal’s history.

However, Wenger believes Arsenal will save money due to extending Ozil’s contract as his replacement would cost far more.

“When you let a player go you have to buy somebody of the same calibre and if you add the wages needed it will be similar,” Wenger was quoted as saying by the Telegraph.

“On top of that we have to pay a transfer. So overall I think Mesut for us was the cheapest option. On the other side all of our players are well paid. Very well paid. To feel sorry for them – I’m not sure that it’s the most objective assessment.”

See More: Arsenal prepared to meet Germany international’s £28m release clause

Arsenal spent big over the January transfer window with Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and Henrikh Mkhitaryan joining the north London based club.

The trio started for the Gunners on Saturday during their comfortable victory against Everton. Aubameyang even managed to get on the scoresheet on his debut.

All three-star names are expected to be back in action for Arsenal this weekend when they take on Tottenham in the Premier League this weekend.