Arsenal midfielder, Mesut Ozil has declared that he will not be leaving the club before the end of his contract in 2021.
He stated that he will “give everything” for the club and that his four-year deal should be respected by all parties.
The future of the German player in Arsenal has been the subject of discussion as head coach Mikel Arteta have been leaving him out of matchday squads despite being fit.
Ozil earns a staggering £350,000-a-week at Arsenal until 2021, but fans and sport analysts have questioned whether those funds could be better spent elsewhere.
Arteta has been under pressure to sell players this summer to free up funds for new recruits.
About eight Gunners stars are on the wait list, and could be sold if an acceptable bid is made to the club. Some of these players are: Matteo Guendouzi, Alexandre Lacazette, Sead Kolasinac and Ozil.
There is growing expectation on Ozil, who does not appear to be in Arteta’s plans going forward, to look for a new club this month.
The club stated that they are exploring options to pay him out of his £18million contract if he agrees to move to another club.
Ozil insists that only he will decide to leave Gunners at the right time and will continue to fight for his place in the first team until he is no longer under contract.
During an interview with The Athletic, the German said;
My position is clear. I’m here through to the last day of our agreement and I’ll give everything I have for this club. Situations like these will never break me, they only make me stronger. I showed in the past that I can come back into the team and I will show it again.I’ll decide when I go, not other people. I didn’t sign for two or three years, I signed for four and that should be respected by everyone.
He added;
Things have obviously been difficult but I love Arsenal, I love to work there, I love the people in the club — the real people, those I’ve been with for a long time — and I love London, it’s my home. Whatever happened in the last two seasons, I’m happy and very strong mentally. I never give up on anything. I want to help my team and I’ll fight for it. If I’m fit, I know what I can do on the pitch.
Ozil expressed;
When a player wants to leave and the club says no, the player must accept it unless they find a solution together. So when a club wants a player to leave and the player says no, the club must accept it unless a solution can be found together. I don’t want to leave, so that’s it.
He added;
In 2018, I had plenty of options that would have earned me far more money as a free agent, but I committed myself to Arsenal because this was the club and the fanbase I wanted to play for. In that sense, nothing has changed. Mikel knows my quality and I will be ready when he needs me.
The German concluded;
I’m not going into pre-season thinking, ‘Final year, I can chill — I know I don’t play’. These are not easy times for Arsenal and I want to help. I still have a lot to offer and I train as hard as I can, whether I’m in the squad or not. If you’re called in, you have to be prepared. I’m doing all the necessary work on the pitch, with the fitness coach and in the gym. This is all I can do.
Things have obviously been difficult but I love Arsenal, I love to work there, I love the people in the club – the real people, those I’ve been with for a long time – and I love London, it’s my home.
I just think the club didn’t really address this issue very well.
They failed to answer his questions which has led to misunderstanding between him and the management of the club.
I just hope they resolve the issue as soon as possible!
The Earlier the better both parties!