Ozil: My preference is to stay at Arsenal

Mesut Ozil has confirmed his intention to stay at Arsenal, and will hold talks with the club once they return from their pre-season getaway in Australia.

With just a year remaining on his contract, Ozil and teammate Alexis Sanchez have become matters of great importance in north London.

But the German international appeared to reassure supporters Wednesday.

"It is definitely my preference to stay. It is a great club and I have always said that I feel very good at Arsenal," Ozil told reporters, according to The Telegraph's Jeremy Wilson. "Once everyone is back in London, we will sit down and discuss about the future."

The 28-year-old suggested earlier this year his future was tied to Arsene Wenger's. The French manager went ahead and signed a new two-year deal with the Gunners following their FA Cup triumph in May, although his star players have yet to follow his lead.

Ozil is reportedly demanding £270,000 a week, while Sanchez, who has alleged admirers in Bayern Munich and Manchester City, is apparently holding out for something closer to £300,000.

"It would hit the team quite hard if (Sanchez) left because he's a player who always delivered," Ozil told Sky Sports News HQ. "It would be a setback to winning the title, but in the end it's the player's decision."

Arsenal faces Sydney FC in its first pre-season match on Thursday.