Mesut Özil: I do not regret joining Arsenal
Former Real Madrid playmaker, Mesut Ozil has insisted that he will “never regret” his decision to join Arsenal despite being left out of the team this season.
The 32-year-old ex-Germany international joined Arsenal in 2013 for £42.5m from Real Madrid and has made over 250 appearances for the Gunners since then.
Despite having a successful campaign in the first few years, the German-Turkish born’s game time has reduced since last season and has been left out of Mikel Arteta’s Premier League and Europa League squads for this year’s campaign.
Özil has not played for Arsenal since 7 March and with his contract set to expire this summer, he has been linked with a move to Turkish side Fenerbahce.
In a Twitter chat with fans Mesut Özil said:
“Of course. There have been many ups and downs so far, but all in all I’ll never regret my decision to join Arsenal. And to be honest, the last couple of games before the corona break in February & March 2020 made [it] really a lot [of] fun.
“I’ve enjoyed that time a lot and I’ve thought we’re really on a very positive way. But after the break things unfortunately changed…”
Ozil also reserved special praise for his former manager, Arsene Wenger, when asked about the Frenchman:
“Arsene Wenger is a special coach in my career, one that I have total respect for,” Ozil said. “He is a great coach with numerous titles. Most of all, he’s a great, sincere person.
“I associate him with my greatest Arsenal successes. I will always remember that time with him positively.”