Arsenal star Mesut Ozil surprised many fans after striking a contract extension deal.
Moral was low after Alexis Sanchez left for Manchester United but what appeared at the time to be the start of an exodus from Emirates turned into the opposite.
Henrikh Mkhitaryan joined Arsenal from United and was followed by Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang.
The icing on the cake however, was Ozil extending his contract deal with 2021.
Former Arsenal star Martin Keown is not exactly known for his kind words towards Ozil but even he was pleased with the playmaker of Turkish origin staying at the club.
In fact Keown described the new deal as being akin to a new transfer for many fans.
The ex Gunners defender also praised Ozil’s loyalty to the club.
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Keown said the following on the deal to the Daily Mail: “It is great news for Arsenal. For the fans, it will almost feel like another new signing.
“Arsenal are in their lowest league position since negotiations with Ozil began and this could be a massive show of loyalty from the player.
“Arsenal need him more than ever — and to keep him happy Arsene Wenger is going to have to buy the right players in the summer.
“There seems to have been a speeding up in decision making when it has come to letting players go that we have not been sure about. Arsenal fans will be anxious to see who the replacements are going to be.”
Keown did however, underlined that Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger does still need to resolve his defensive problems.
“Wenger still has to get that central defensive partnership right — and the team have to learn how to stay in a game away from home,” he added.
The new Arsenal attacking line including Ozil, Mkhitaryan, Aubameyang and Alexandre Lacazette could start for the first time against Everton on Saturday.
The Gunners are currently eight-points behind fourt
