Arsenal announced the news that every supporter was waiting for this afternoon: Mesut Ozil has signed a contract extension.The German playmaker has put pen to paper on a new three-and-a-half year contract at the Emirates Stadium worth around £350,000-per-week, making him the highest-paid player in the club’s history.Ozil wrote in a statement: “It's been one of the most important decisions of my footballing career and that's why I had to think hard and talk with everyone who's important to me…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!"

Arsenal, currently sixth in the Premier League table, may not be able to offer Ozil Champions League football for the second straight season but when you read what he had to say about Arsene Wenger in his 2017 autobiography ‘Gunning For Greatness’, it becomes clear why he’s decided to stay in north London.

What Ozil wrote in his autobiography about Wenger

“As far as preparation for matches or announcing the line-up are concerned, Arsene Wenger doesn’t particularly differ from my previous coaches,” Ozil wrote.

“He won’t tell us the formation until the day of the game. But there are two things that mark him out.

“First, I’ve never practised set pieces so frequently and intensively with any other manager before. It’s one of Wenger’s passions.

“He places great importance on trying out free-kicks and corners. Again and again and again he gets us to practise all manner of variations."

'He's a gentleman'

“Second, he’s the most gentlemanly coach I’ve ever played under," Ozil added.

“When he comes into the dressing room in the morning he shakes everybody’s hand. A firm handshake and he’ll look you in the eye.

“If he happens to miss a player and see him for the first time on the ground, the personal greeting will take place there. In winter he even takes off his gloves before shaking hands.

“I actually think that every club should have a morning routine like this. I like it when people show respect for each other.

“But the manager’s handshake is not usual; Wenger’s the odd one out here.

“It was not for nothing that at the beginning of the year in an interview for the Germany football magazine, Kicker, I emphasised what an important figure Wenger has been in my life.

“He watched me for years, followed my progress, then hired and nurtured me. He is entitled to criticise me in any way he likes. He can throw anything at me if I’ve played poorly.

“Because what he says is important. Because he’s good at getting things into perspective.”

A large portion of Arsenal supporters want Wenger to leave the club. But he seems to be the main reason Ozil has decided to stick around.