Pires compares Ozil to Arsenal great Bergkamp

The attacking midfielder is now paid £140,000 a week and has only 18 months left on his contract, but Arsenal are fairly confident that the player wants to stay at the London club and are prepared to offer him higher wages.

Arsenal legend Robert Pires believes Mesut Ozil has transformed himself into Arsenal's maestro this season with an increase in his goals tally.

Ozil is, however, the ace in the pack, with Alexis Sanchez now operating as more of a central striker than deep-lying orchestrator.

And Pires, who saw the effect Bergkamp had on Arsenal's title-winning campaigns in 2001-02 and 2003-04, said comparisons between the two playmakers are justified. "He can normally score a minimum of 12 goals during the Premier League", Pires was quoted as saying on http://www.arsenal.com.

'I love them both because they play very good football but they play for the team.

The former Real Madrid man has already racked up 7 goals and 3 assists in 14 appearances for the club this season and his representatives are eager to put pen to paper with Arsenal after his great start.

"During my time, the maestro was Dennis Bergkamp and now the maestro is Mesut Ozil", Pires told Arsenal's official website.

Fourth-placed Arsenal play their first match after the global break when they visit Manchester United, who are sixth, in the Premier League on Saturday.

Arsenal are reportedly close to getting Mesut Ozil to commit his long-term future to the club by signing a new £200,000-a-week contract.

"This is a difference between last season with Mesut Ozil and now because he's thinking just for himself".