Arsenal face a big year ahead and they may enter the 2018/19 season without another big name, as The Sun cites reports in Germany as indicating Mesut Ozil will leave on a free transfer.

What's the story?

Standing as Arsenal's most expensive recruit until the club drafted in Alexandre Lacazette this summer, Mesut Ozil has often divided opinion amongst critics and fans alike but there is no denying he is a crucial player to the Gunners system.

The World Cup winner has just 12 months remaining on his current deal though and, like Alexis Sanchez, looks poised to leave on a free transfer next summer as it's been revealed Arsenal have not held talks with the former Real Madrid man since discussions initially broke down in February.

A delay on negotiations was down to Arsene Wenger's own uncertain future at the Emirates Stadium but no movement towards a new deal for Ozil has been made since the French boss signed a two-year extension following another FA Cup success for Arsenal.

How big a blow is this?

Losing Alexis Sanchez and Mesut Ozil for nothing next summer would likely tear Arsenal apart, as the Gunners would lose two crucial players without getting a fee in return and would have to spend way over the odds to draft in the necessary replacements.

Arsenal made it clear their financial situation isn't as rosy as we're led to believe over the course of the summer with just one player arriving for a fee, Alexandre Lacazette, and the Gunners failed to strengthen their squad in other key areas.

Arsene Wenger's side have often left themselves with too much to do after the summer transfer window slams shut and it's a massive concern for the club next summer if Alexis and Ozil leave, particularly as Per Mertesacker is retiring whilst both Santi Cazorla and Jack Wilshere see their contacts expire at the end of the campaign.