Oezil commits long-term future to Arsenal

Arsenal midfielder Mesut Oezil has signed a new contract to extend his stay in north London, the Premier League club said Thursday. The 29-year-old Germany international confirmed on Twitter that he had agreed a three-and-a-half year deal. "It's been one of the most important decisions of my footballing career and that's why I had to think hard and talk to everyone who's important to me," Oezil said.

BREAKING: Mesut Ozil signs new three-year contract with @Arsenal. #SSN pic.twitter.com/FdkLa8i79g

— Sky Sports News (@SkySportsNews) February 1, 2018

Oezil's contract had been due to expire at the end of the season. "Good things take time. In the end, I let my heart decide. As I always said, I feel at home here and I'm highly motivated to achieve big things in the next few years. Once a Gunner, always a Gunner." British media reported that the new deal is worth up to 350,000 pounds ($500,000) a week, making the World Cup winner the highest-paid player at the club.

1006 - Since he made his league debut in August 2006, Mesut Ozil (1006) is the only player to have created over 1000 goalscoring chances within the big 5 European leagues. Class. pic.twitter.com/epqlZHgO3Y

— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) January 31, 2018

Oezil joined Arsenal from Real Madrid in 2013 for a then club-record of about 42.5m pounds. The playmaker has made 182 appearances for Arsenal in all competition, scoring 36 goals and providing 61 assists. The announcement came a day after Arsenal bolstered their attacking line-up with the signing of striker Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang from Borussia Dortmund for a club-record fee.