Arsenal are yet to offer midfielder Oğuzhan Özyakup an extension to his current contract, but the Dutchman is hopeful he can continue his development in North London.
Özyakup has entered the final year of his deal with The Gunners and despite being attracted by clubs from Holland and Turkey, the youngster is determined to earn new terms at Arsenal. Speaking to Turkish agency ‘Posta’, the 18-year-old re-affirmed his desire;
“Of course I want very much to remain at Arsenal. But at Arsenal there’s great competition. I don’t know what will happen, I’m wearing the shirt for the youth team, but who knows what might happen this season. We’ll wait and see.”
Oğuzhan joined Arsenal in 2008 from then Dutch Champions AZ Alkmaar. He has since gone on to play bit-part roles for the Under 18’s and the Reserves, with injuries holding him back. Arsène Wenger remains a big fan of the Holland Under 17 captain but he caused tension with the club when speaking out against the loan system, branding it ‘uncomfortable’ and only working ‘occasionally’.
The player and his family are well settled in London, with Arsenal finding a job for his father at London-based newspaper ‘Metro’ upon completing his switch to England. However, talks over a new deal are yet to begin.
I like him and I think we should offer him a new contract. How do you rate him mate?
I hope there’s a new contract coming for Ozyakup. He’s young, but when watching the Reserves on ATVO he’s always stood out. There’s talent to be further developed with him and I think Arsenal could have a real gem on their hands if they make the investment in his next couple years.
You can sense when some young player will make it at the highest level and when he wont.I am sure he will make it at a top club but not Arsenal.He is the same type of player like Ramsey,Wilshere,Fabregas and Rosicky.While Fabregas and Rosicky will leave in the next 2 years , Wilshere and Ramsey will stay at Arsenal and they are just a little older than him.I am pretty sure he will make a good career at a top 10 team in one of the top leagues in Europe.
He’s a clear talent but there is so much position for the midfield places one wonders when his chances will come.
I’d say he is worth a new contract as, unless he proves to be undone by injuries, his worth will only increase.
As it is surely he would leave for virtually nothing which would be a pity.
Young gun do you know anything about Zambian defender emmanule Mbola,he’s on trial.
I think Imscouting wrote about it
I am the one that broke this story so I should tell you the article second part stated that his agent will meet with Arsenal later this year and iron out a contract
Wenger and Gadizis need to tie some players down – Szczesny priority then Nortvedit, Ozzyakup
I would have thought that it’s going to be hard extending Szczesny’s contract until he gets some game time. Problem being is not looking like “throwing your toys” and talking to the press gets you that first team selection. I’m sure Arsene will wave his magic wand though
great stuff great stuff
jesus what u like in goal
After all the effort put in to signing Ozyakup in the 1st place, i would be dismayed if we didn’t try to extent his stay with the gunners!! There will be a lot of competition for him, but if he is good enough, he’ll make it. Ramsey, Wilshere, Aneke, Lansbury and Nasri would be competing for places long term with him. These are players who obviously are not defensive midfielders. He wouldn’t be in competition with them. I probably forgot 2 or 3 guys but I’m in a hurry!! If he is good enough, he’ll make it into the first team along with Aneke who is already there. then if we have injuries to a starter or his competition, he will be able to deputize for them. I hope he stays with us!!!
Give Ozzie a new deal! Who knows when injuries could force him to get a run, it was how Ramsey got his start.
Just rubbish mark randall first…
We have so many who can play in his position right now and almost everyone is english too. Most have grown up in arsenal and I would choose them any day ahead of Ozzy but he is a great great talent himself so it will be a tough call.
If the club think he is good enough he will get a deal if they do not then ship him out.
wenger is above all managers in Europe considering his philosophy in terms of finance and recruitment of players.He has focus for the club to servive indifinatelly.His replacement will be tricky for arsenal.Ozyakup should never leave arsenal his in safe hands.
hey can anyone tell me when will KYLE BARTLEY contract is going to b expire im really rate him very high and to lose him would b sad. sorry for my grammar im from thailand and my english is not perfect.
he extended his contract at the same time he joined Sheff Utd on loan – http://www.arsenal.com/news/reserves-news/kyle-bartley-joins-sheffield-united-on-loan
so it won’t expire any time soon.
We have a huge amount of players who are paid incredibly well yet offer nothing to the first team.
In this day and age you can not afford to ‘wait around’ for players on £10k a week (cough, mark randall) to make their mark. At some point you have to be ruthless, let them go and concentrate on what quality you do have at the club
Anyone know the U-18s result v Norwich this morning?????
Monty It isnt as simple as that mate. You can just discard players. The club firstly have an obligation to give those young players a footballing education, then if they dont maje the grade then they will be let go or sold on. Thats ha[[ened enough times.
The other side is also that players develop and come good at different ages and it would be a real shame to see a player come good after he had been shown the door by the club.
Oh and Randall will come good!!! Haha!