Arsenal legend Robert Pires has hailed Mesut Ozil, likening the German to Gunners ex-playmaker Dennis Bergkamp. Ozil led the club’s players providing assists last term.

In addition, this term he has scored his first hat trick in an impressive goal scoring form. Arsenal coach Arsene Wenger has said that the German international could only be compared to the likes of Bergkamp when he signs a new deal with the club. However, Pires, who used to play alongside Bergkamp, opines that Ozil is already an equivalent of Bergkamp in the current set-up.

“Something has clicked. What’s happened in the head is like a click because he’s scored a lot of goals.

“This is a difference between the last season with Mesut Ozil and now because he’s thinking just for himself, and sometimes when you are in front of the target it is very important to score a goal,” Pires told Arsenal official website.

“Mesut has very good qualities, he can normally score a minimum of 12 goals during the Premier League so in my time the maestro was Dennis Bergkamp, and now it is Mesut Ozil. I love them both because they play very good football but they play for the team. Not for himself, they play for the team. This point is very important for the future and of course for Arsenal,” Pires added.

The Mirror reports that Ozil is close to agreeing a new deal with the club that would see him earn £200,000 per week. Representatives of the former Real Madrid star reportedly met with the club’s officials over the international break to refine contract details. The club values Ozil’s contributions and are willing to make him the highest paid player in the club with the new deal. The 28-year old player would see an increase of £60,000 from his current weekly wages at the Emirates.