Mesut Ozil was back to his very best in Arsenal's 5-2 win over Everton at Goodison Park last Sunday.

Ozil steered the Gunners into the lead early in the second half with a fine header, before registering his 43rd Premier League assist by setting up Alexandre Lacazette's goal to make the game safe.

It was Arsenal's first away win in the league this term, having suffered defeats at Stoke, Liverpool and Watford, and earning a 0-0 draw at Chelsea in September.

It came at a welcome time too, with pressure increasing on the board and Wenger after a slow start to the campaign, while Alexis Sanchez and Ozil have the spotlight on them with their contracts due to expire next summer.

Sanchez also chipped in with a goal and an assist, but it is the German who grabbed the headlines, though the attention has turned to his next possible destination.

Reports in The Sun suggest that Ozil is keen to increase his weekly wage to around £200,000-a-week, something which has proved to be a sticking point in negotiations thus far, as he currently earns closer to £150,000.

If he cannot agree a new deal before the turn of the year, he will be free to talk to foreign clubs in January and sign a pre-contract, while his value will drop markedly for any Premier League sides interested in securing the World Cup winner's services.

Ozil is believed to be holding out for three clubs if he does depart the Emirates Stadium - Manchester United, Real Madrid and Barcelona.

The attacking midfielder left Madrid for Arsenal in 2013 in a £42.5m deal, but is open to a return to the Bernabeu, while Barcelona need to boost their ranks after failing to adequately replace Neymar.

However, Ozil's preferred move would be a reunion with ex-Madrid boss José Mourinho at Old Trafford, though that is something that would not go down well with the Arsenal fans.

According to the Manchester Evening News, United are yet to make any move for the German, as Arsenal are still hopeful of extending his stay, and they are unlikely to sell to any rivals halfway through the season.

However, Ozil has maintained a positive relationship with his former boss, and the 'Special One' wrote the foreword to the German's autobiography earlier this year at just two hours' notice.

A source close to the former Werder Bremen man has claimed Mourinho is the best coach he has ever played for, and that the pair formed a very good partnership.

"I know he is always in contact with Mourinho because he likes him.

"He thinks he is the best coach he every played for. He has a special relationship with him," a source close to the player told the Manchester Evening News.

The belief in Ozil's camp is that he needs a more aggressive manager after five years under Arsene Wenger in order to rediscover his best form.

He also has a desire to win more major trophies, winning just the FA Cup in his spell in North London, and may even work up from the subsitutes' bench in order to realise his ambitions.