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Mikel Arteta’s strong declaration on Mesut Ozil’s legacy ahead of Arsenal exit

Mikel Arteta’s strong declaration on Mesut Ozil’s legacy ahead of Arsenal exit
Mikel Arteta’s strong declaration on Mesut Ozil’s legacy ahead of Arsenal exit

Mikel Arteta insists Mesut Ozil’s legacy at Arsenal will not be tarnished by the underwhelming – and often bitter – nature of his exit.

Ozil, 32, is poised to leave the Gunners and join Fenerbahce within a matter of days, ending the midfielder’s seven-and-a-half year stay in north London.

The German has not played for Arsenal since March 2020 and his frosty relationship with Arteta means he has spent the current season appearing to aim subtle digs at the manager who exiled him.

Nonetheless, Arteta claims Ozil – who won three FA Cups and made over 250 Arsenal appearances – will be remembered fondly.

Arteta insisted Ozil’s legacy at the Emirates is secure

“What Mesut has done at the football club is unquestionable and that will stay,” said the Spaniard. “It doesn’t matter if he plays two more games, 10 more games or none.

“I think what he has done is there for the records, the history of the club and his contribution, nobody can discuss that.”

Ozil’s imminent departure comes as Arteta aims to trim his squad for the second half of the season, with William Saliba already leaving on loan to Ligue 1 club Nice.

FA Cup Final 2015
The German picked up three FA Cup winners’ medals

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Sead Kolasinac has also departed on loan for Bundesliga side Schalke 04, but Arteta admits transfer dealings have been made even more difficult by the current coronavirus circumstances.

He added: “At the moment, the market is really complicated. The situation around every club is not easy and to get the negotiations going as well is harder because you cannot be face to face.

“You cannot travel to another country and make a deal happen like that. Everything has to be through the phone or Zoom. It can go either way to be fair.

“I can tell you what I would like, which is on day one to have the squad like I want and the players out and in sorted, but I think it is really complicated right now.”

Do you agree with Mikel Arteta’s positive verdict on Mesut Ozil’s Arsenal legacy? Have your say in the comments.

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Fenerbahce boss breaks silence on Mesut Ozil transfer to agree with Mikel Arteta

Fenerbahce boss breaks silence on Mesut Ozil transfer to agree with Mikel Arteta
Fenerbahce boss breaks silence on Mesut Ozil transfer to agree with Mikel Arteta

Fenerbahce boss Erol Bulut is remaining coy over the potential arrival in Istanbul of Arsenal’s Mesut Ozil.

It’s now 10 months since the German playmaker last played for the Gunners.

His contract expires at the end of the season, and having been left out of the club’s Premier League squad so far this season, he is unlikely to feature again.

Ozil, who arrived in North London in 2013, has been linked with a move to Major League Soccer with DC United, but is understood to prefer a move to Turkey with Fener.

This week, Ozil’s representative, Dr Erkut Sogut, claimed that the midfielder’s future would be decided in the “next seven to ten days”.

“We were not allowed to talk legally before January 1 so now we are just starting to look at the options with the numbers and details,” Sogut told ESPN.

“If we want to leave in January, I need to talk to Arsenal. If we sign for the summer, we don’t need to.”

Ozil won’t play for Arsenal’s first-team again

The Gunners are amiable to an exit for the 32-year-old this month, if a deal satisfies all parties.

Arsenal are continuing to pay Ozil £350k-a-week at present, and are keen to get his salary off their books.

On Thursday, Mikel Arteta confirmed that he is expecting a decision in the coming days – and opened up on the prospect of an immediate exit for Ozil, who has recently been given time away from the club.

“If something is sorted this month it is because it is good for both parties, for Mesut and for the club,” Arteta said.

“If that is the case we will move forward, if it is not the case then he will continue here. We will decide what is happening in the next few days.”

Fenerbahce boss Bulut was asked about a potential switch for Ozil on Thursday night, following his side’s win over Alanyaspor in the Super Liga.

And he took a stance along similar lines to Arteta.

“Mesut Ozil’s situation will become clear in the coming days,” Bulut responded when asked by beIN Sports. “Mesut’s name is very common.

“It is not possible for me to make a comment before he comes.”

According to all sides, it appears the end is in sight.

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Piers Morgan sends Mesut Ozil brutal message as he nears Arsenal exit

Piers Morgan sends Mesut Ozil brutal message as he nears Arsenal exit
Piers Morgan sends Mesut Ozil brutal message as he nears Arsenal exit

Piers Morgan has sent Mesut Ozil a brutal message on Twitter as he nears the exit door at Arsenal after eight years at the club.

World Cup winner Ozil is reportedly in talks with both DC United and Fenerbahce over a January move, after being frozen out at Arsenal.

His agent confirmed his intentions to leave this Wednesday, telling ESPN: “We were not allowed to talk legally before January 1 so now we are just starting to look at the options with the numbers and details.”

Morgan, a life-long Arsenal fan, has been embroiled in a Twitter spat with Ozil for the past couple of months, and saw the news that he’s ready to leave as a good opportunity to aim another dig at the German.

Piers Morgan has sent Mesut Ozil a brutal message on social media

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He tweeted: “BOOM! Finally, some good news in 2021! “If you need a (covid-secure) lift to the airport @MesutOzil1088, let me know.”

Ozil is yet to respond to Morgan, but may do so once his future has been decided.

Arsenal midfielder Ozil is one of 12 players on the chopping block at the Emirates, with Mikel Arteta looking to part company with as many as eight individuals this January.

World Cup winner Ozil is reportedly in talks with both DC United and Fenerbahce

According to The Independent, the players most in danger of leaving are: Shkodran Mustafi, Mohamed Elneny, Reiss Nelson, Calum Chambers, Folarin Balogun, Joe Willock, and Sokratis Papastathopoulos.

Konstantinos Mavropanos and Lucas Torreira could also be sold if an acceptable offer is made for them, while Sead Kolasinac and William Saliba have already left on loan.

Will Arsenal finish in the Premier League top four this season? Have your say here.

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Mesut Ozil comments suggest he’s finally changed his mind about Arsenal

Mesut Ozil comments suggest he’s finally changed his mind about Arsenal
Mesut Ozil comments suggest he’s finally changed his mind about Arsenal

If there is one thing Mesut Ozil has been then it is determined to see out his £350,000-a-week contract at Arsenal.

Despite Mikel Arteta and the Gunners board’s best efforts to change the German’s mind – by leaving him out of Arsenal’s Premier League and Europa League squads this season – Ozil has stuck to his guns and even gone on record to say he wants to remain in north London.

Ozil is settled in the capital, and it seems that, despite everything going on around him, he has always believed in himself to turn things around – he sees a future for himself at Arsenal beyond his current deal, if he can just get the game time to prove it.

Ozil is out of contract in the summer and quickly running out of time to prove Arteta wrong.

If the Arsenal manager refuses to U-turn on his original decision this month, and reinstate Ozil as a senior Gunners player, then the German will go the remainder of the season having not kicked a single ball for the club.

Mesut Ozil is determined to see out his £350,000-a-week contract

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He’ll also be allowed to leave the club that he has represented since 2013 on a free.

Ozil has been an ever-present figure in the media throughout the season, despite playing no football for Arsenal.

Arteta has regularly been asked about him, and the German himself has been keeping busy on both Twitter and Instagram.

Ozil has been frozen out at Arsenal by Mikel Arteta

Following Arsenal’s latest win over West Brom – their third in succession – Ozil took to social media to write: “Nice game my boys! Great spirit – three wins in a row. Team looks good with a No 10 like Emile Smith Rowe – the difference maker.”

It’s not the first time Ozil has praised his team-mates for getting the job done without him, but it is the first time he’s actively brought attention to the fact there is life after his at Arsenal.

The No 10 role has always been Ozil’s at Arsenal – he even wears the No 10 shirt.

Emile Smith Rowe was in fine form for Arsenal against West Brom

In acknowledging to the world that Smith Rowe is doing a great job in the position he has in some ways passed on the baton and accepted that he has been replaced at Arsenal and that he has no future at the club.

Whether this will inspire him to cut his contract short and leave in January, remains to be seen. But it certainly suggests he’s no longer under any illusions in regards to his importance to Arsenal in 2021.

Will Mikel Arteta still be Arsenal boss come the end of the season? Have your say here.

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Mikel Arteta comments give us fresh clue about Mesut Ozil amid U-turn suggestion

Mikel Arteta comments give us fresh clue about Mesut Ozil amid U-turn suggestion
Mikel Arteta comments give us fresh clue about Mesut Ozil amid U-turn suggestion

Mikel Arteta’s recent comments offer some insight into his plans for Mesut Ozil now that the January transfer window is upon us.

The World Cup winner was frozen out at Arsenal at the start of the season, with Arteta opting against naming him in his Premier League and Europa League squads.

It was hoped that Ozil would leave Arsenal in the summer transfer window as a result of the brutal snub, and free up his £350,000-a-week wages.

But the German plans to remain in north London until his contract expires at the end of the season, which has put the cash-strapped Gunners in a difficult position.

Ozil’s insistence to remain at the Emirates, despite being able to play, means Arsenal are without a creative mind in the middle of the park.

Mesut Ozil has been frozen out at Arsenal by Mikel Arteta

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The January window has now opened, but Ozil still has no plans to leave.

Arteta, therefore, has a decision to make. Either continue leaving Ozil out in the cold, despite Arsenal’s obvious problems, or make a U-turn on his original decision.

The Spaniard has recently been talking about Ozil’s situation, and refused to rule out naming the German in his Premier League squad for the second half of the season.

“We will see what happens in the transfer window and we will assess at the end of that,” said the Arsenal boss. “You have to respect the players’ contracts. You can just try to be open with them, tell them your intentions, the role that they have in the team and why that is.

Arsenal boss Arteta has a decision to make this month

“Some would like to move because they are not playing and some would like to stay. That’s something we cannot decide by ourselves. When a player doesn’t play, it is really difficult to be happy.

“There are players that don’t play at all, they know they are not going to have any chance. That is tough mentally for them, to maintain that motivation and positivity around the place for a lot of months. That’s a big task.”

Arteta also played down Arsenal making a big signing in January, bolstering Ozil’s chances of a shock return.

“Every [new] player is going to need time to adapt,” added Arteta.

Ozil is refusing to leave Arsenal this January

“It’s which qualities this player is bringing, what is the past of that player, where has he been, has he been in a different country, does he speak the language, is he familiar with a certain style of playing?

“There are a lot of conditions that, in my opinion. affect whether that player can have an immediate impact or not in a team. For me, there are really key things to consider before making any steps to bring anyone in in January.”

Will Arsenal finish in the Premier League top four this season? Have your say here.

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Mesut Ozil sends message to Arsenal teammates after victory over Chelsea

Mesut Ozil sends message to Arsenal teammates after victory over Chelsea
Mesut Ozil sends message to Arsenal teammates after victory over Chelsea

Mesut Ozil has praised Arsenal’s young guns after they helped fire the north Londoners back to winning ways.

The Gunners hadn’t won in their last seven Premier League games before seeing off Chelsea.

Mikel Arteta rung the changes and gave the likes of Gabriel Martinelli and Emile Smith Rowe the chance to impress from the start.

Joe Willock also made a cameo appearance from the bench while Buakyo Saka continues to be a regular.

All of them played their part in a 3-0 win that made a mockery of Arsenal’s poor recent form.

Ozil, who has been frozen out the Emirates, has continued to be a vocal supporter on social media.

Gabriel Martinelli, Emile Smith Rowe and co helped Arsenal see off Chelsea

And he again hailed his team-mates as he tweeted: “Really happy for all our youngsters today – playing with pride & no fear. Crucial 3 points! #YaGunnersYa ”

Alexandre Lacazette scored from the spot to set the ball rolling for the hosts.

Granit Xhaka fired in an excellent free-kick before Saka notched a third in the second-half.

Arsenal’s three points was all the more impressive given the achieved it without the likes of Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, who was benched, and Willian and Gabriel who were both absent through illness.

Kieran Tierney, who won his side’s penalty, echoed Ozil’s thoughts when he praised his young team-mates.

“We needed that result,” he told Sky Sports.  

“We’ve had a few bad performances but we started better than we have lately and didn’t wait until we were 1-0 down to start playing.

“All the youngsters here are hungry to play. We have to keep going. At half-time the message was to keep going.

“Bernd Leno dug us out of a hole at the end. It would have been a long five minutes had that gone in.”

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Mesut Ozil ‘holds talks over £200,000-a-week pay cut’ ahead of transfer

Mesut Ozil ‘holds talks over £200,000-a-week pay cut’ ahead of transfer
Mesut Ozil ‘holds talks over £200,000-a-week pay cut’ ahead of transfer

Mesut Ozil has reportedly held talks over a move to Fenerbahce which would see the Arsenal playmaker take a pay cut of around £200,000-a-week.

Ozil has not featured for the Gunners since March having been left out of Mikel Arteta’s squads for both the Premier League and Europa League.

According to Bild, Ozil has been involved in covert talks with the Turkish giants in London over a deal in the region of £150,000-a-week – a huge drop from his current £350,000-a-week wages at the Emirates.

But any move is unlikely to take place when the transfer window opens next month, instead happening in the summer.

Ozil has been frozen out at Arsenal

Fenerbahce club congress member Murat Zorlu said earlier this month the Istanbul-based side are ‘90% certain’ to land the World Cup winner.

He told Sport Digitale: “A source, who’s very well connected to the club has told me that Mesut Ozil is likely to become a Fenerbahce player during the next transfer window.

“I would say 90 per cent he will join us in one month.”

Arsenal are in dire straits on the pitch having won just four games in the Premier League so far this season.

They sit 15th in the top flight and are staring down the barrel of a shock fight against the drop.

Mikel Arteta’s Gunners have been starved of title glory for a while now – but things could be changing as a new-look Arsenal side plot a course to success.

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New signings Gabriel Magalhaes and Thomas Partey have hit the ground running following their big money summer arrivals, and the new-look Gunners are going all out for a top four spot and Europa League glory this term.

The Mesut Ozil situation continues to hang in the background and there’s plenty going on in North London to keep abreast of.

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The Gunners host Chelsea on Boxing Day, and Jamie Redknapp reckons Arteta should be turning to Ozil to help him out of the predicament.

“No creativity again,” he said. “I feel for the manager.

“There are so many problems right now with this team, it’s hard to put your finger on which one is worst.

“He’s got another problem now, with people saying, ‘Should you bring Mesut Ozil back in?’. For me, of course you have to.

“It’s a no-brainer — you are not creating chances. Does the manager look weak bringing him back in? Some might say yes. Not for me.

“If you were creating chances and losing games I’d say of course you don’t get him back.

“But you need someone who’s going to spot a pass for the likes of Aubameyang, especially in matches like the one against Burnley the other night.

“I think Arteta tried to make a statement by not naming Ozil in his original squad. But sometimes you have to take it on the chin.

“Just use him while you’ve got him. Being in the position they’re in without turning to Ozil, it doesn’t make sense to me.”

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Matteo Guendouzi responds to Mesut Ozil’s ‘underrated’ comments

Matteo Guendouzi responds to Mesut Ozil’s ‘underrated’ comments
Matteo Guendouzi responds to Mesut Ozil’s ‘underrated’ comments

Matteo Guendouzi has responded to Mesut Ozil after his ex-Arsenal teammate tipped him to be a future star.

Both players have been sent into exile by Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta and look unlikely to feature in the same Gunners side again.

Guendouzi is currently out on loan at Hertha Berlin until the end of the season, while Ozil continues to be frozen out while his contract runs down.

Ozil has proved himself to be a master of PR during his time on the sidelines, and appeared to be at it again by siding with his fellow outcast.

Asked during a Twitter Q&A of who the most underrated player he had played with was, Ozil replied: “@MatteoGuendouzi – I’m sure he will be a big football player one day!”

Guendouzi (L) and Ozil remain close friends from their time together at Arsenal

Whilst it looked to be a thinly-veiled dig at Arteta, Guendouzi was more than delighted with Ozil’s compliment.

Responding to his tweet, 22-year-old Guendouzi wrote: “Thank you my bro @MesutOzil1088. You know how much these words are important for me especially from you, one of the best player[s] in the world and the best I played with.”

Guendouzi fell out with Arteta twice at the back end of last season – once on a warm-weather training camp in Dubai, the other following Arsenal’s defeat to Brighton in June.

That was the Frenchman’s last appearance from Arsenal, and he is now trying to rebuild his career in Germany.

Should Arteta consider recalling Guendouzi? Have your say below.

Guendouzi has been performing regularly for Hertha Berlin
Guendouzi has been performing regularly for Hertha Berlin

But he did little for his hopes of earning a recall to Arteta’s squad when liasing with another out-of-favour star William Saliba on social media earlier this month.

Saliba complained to Guendouzi of feeling “locked up” at Arsenal like he was, to which the midfielder replied: “We’re together, my little brother.”

So far this season Guendouzi has made eight appearances for Hertha, scoring once, though is not thought to be part of Arteta’s long-term plans.

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Mesut Ozil suggests Mikel Arteta made blunder with Arsenal transfer mistake

Mesut Ozil suggests Mikel Arteta made blunder with Arsenal transfer mistake
Mesut Ozil suggests Mikel Arteta made blunder with Arsenal transfer mistake

Arsenal outcast Mesut Ozil has suggested Mikel Arteta made a key transfer mistake – by letting Matteo Guendouzi leave.

Ozil, who has been left out of Arsenal’s Premier League and Europa League squads despite being their highest earner, took to social media for a Q&A with fans.

As he took a host of questions, the German playmaker singled out Guendouzi for praise after he was also frozen out prior to his summer departure.

Arteta froze out Guendouzi earlier this year, sending the French midfielder on loan to Hertha Berlin where he has made an instant impact.

And Ozil believes Guendouzi has the highest quality as he appeared to suggest Arteta’s treatment of him was a mistake.

Mesut Ozil has suggested Arsenal made a mistake letting Matteo Guendouzi leave

Asked the most underrated player he has played with, Ozil replied by tagging Matteo Guendouzi, predicting he could come back to haunt Arsenal even further in the future.

“I’m sure he will be a big football player one day!” He predicted.

The previous summer, Aaron Ramsey was allowed to leave Arsenal by Mikel Arteta’s predecessor Unai Emery, joining Juventus on a free transfer.

And Ramsey suggested that was also a mistake as he hailed the quality of the Welshman.

Asked for his thoughts on Ramsey, he replied: “Amazing player, good friend. He’s been a fantastic teammate.”

Ozil also aimed a thinly-veiled dig at manager Mikel Arteta as he claimed the club are missing legendary former manager Arsene Wenger.

Ozil also hailed former team-mate Aaron Ramsey as a “top player”

“He was really a fantastic manager – yeah, and also like a father figure for me and many other players… I think many people around Arsenal are really missing him.”

Asked if he is currently happy at the club, Ozil replied: “It’s a very difficult time for everyone around the club – not just for me.

“The situation is frustrating for everyone. Of course I would wish I could help the team especially right now, but as long as I don’t get the chance I just hope that we get better results very soon again. But let’s stay positive.”

Did Arsenal make mistakes letting Matteo Guendouzi and Aaron Ramsey leave? Have your say here.

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Mesut Ozil claims he “wishes he could help” Arsenal amid ongoing exile

Mesut Ozil claims he “wishes he could help” Arsenal amid ongoing exile
Mesut Ozil claims he “wishes he could help” Arsenal amid ongoing exile

Mesut Ozil claims he “wishes he could help” Arsenal and opened up on the “very difficult” and “frustrating” at the club.

Ozil, 32, is in a state of exile at the Emirates and has not featured for the club since March, before the first national lockdown.

The Gunners have endured a disastrous start to the season in the World Cup winner’s absence, with their tally of 14 points in 14 league games their worst total since the 1974/75 campaign.

Meanwhile, any hopes Arsenal had of a run to the late stages of the Carabao Cup were dashed on Tuesday night as Manchester City ran out dominant 4-1 victors at the Emirates.

Ozil has not featured for Arsenal since March

Ozil acknowledged it is a challenging time for everyone with a connection to the north London club as he declared his desire to help lift them out of the doldrums.

Asked if he is “happy at Arsenal ” by a fan during a Twitter Q&A, Ozil responded: “It’s a very difficult time for everyone around the club – not just for me.

The German picked up an assist in his last appearance for the Gunners

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“The situation is frustrating for everyone. Of course I would wish I could help the team especially right now, but as long as I don’t get the chance I just hope that we get better results very soon again.

“But let’s stay positive.”

Ozil was not named in Arsenal’s squads for the Premier League or Europa League this season, though it is possible for him to return to the fold in January.

The German playmaker has six months remaining on the lucrative contract he penned in January 2018, while Mikel Arteta refused to rule out a recall earlier this month.

The Arsenal boss said: “He’s not in the squad right now. I’m focusing just on the players we have here. But, whatever happens in January, we have some time to decide.”

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