Ozil struck up an excellent relationship with the Arsenal fans under Arsene Wenger but later fell out with new boss, Mikel Arteta
By Kehinde Okeowo
Ex-German international, Mesut Ozil has said he has no ill-feelings towards his former club, Arsenal and that he wants them to win the English Premier League (EPL) title under Mikel Arteta this season.
Ozil who joined the Gunners from La Liga giant, Real Madrid, left the north London club for Turkish club, Fenerbahce in 2021 and following a brief spell at fellow Super Lig side Istanbul Basaksehir, he announced his retirement from professional football on Wednesday.
When asked about his time at the Emirate and his former club’s title push this season, Ozil gave a very honest and frank answer, suggesting he is at peace with the EPL club.
He, however, opted not to discuss what led to the severance of his relationship with the Premier League 3club.
Asked to sum up his time at Arsenal, he told Marca: “The first years were very good. We played in the Champions League, we had a great team with great players and an incredible coach like Arsene Wenger. After he left the club, many things changed for me. But I have no interest in adding fuel to the fire again.
“Now I am relaxed and I wish the best to the Arsenal fans, who have always been very supportive of me. I would be happy for them if they could celebrate the Premier League title. They deserve it!”
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Ozil struck up an excellent relationship with the Arsenal fans under Arsene Wenger, especially during his early years at the club.
He became an instant fans’ favourite after grabbing three assists on his home debut against Stoke in August 2013 – and continued to shine in his first season
The 34-year-old German directly contributed to 21 goals in 40 matches as the Gunners lifted the FA Cup and finished in the top four.
During his first five years at Arsenal, they also qualified for the Champions League in every one of them before dropping off when Wenger departed.
Ozil was completely frozen out of Arsenal’s plans for the 2020/21 season under Mikel Arteta and didn’t feature once before switching to Fenerbahce after his contract was terminated in the January transfer window.
Arteta spent almost two years instilling his philosophy into the Arsenal squad and after a fifth-place finish last season, they are on course to lift their first EPL title since 2004.
They currently sit 8 points clear of second-placed Manchester City and Ozil is rooting for his former team to win the league.
