Ozil Speaks On Leaving Arsenal During January Transfer Window

Ozil To Fight For His Space In Arsenal Team

Arsenal playmaker and former Germany international, Mesut Ozil, has reacted to rumours that he is set to dump the Gunners in January.

Ozil who has been heavily linked with a January exit from the Emirates Stadium, however, said he will only leave when his current contract expires in 2021.

The player who arrived in London from Real Madrid for a club-record fee has only started one league game this season, fueling speculations of a pending exit.

The Arsenal manager, Unai Emery, was understood to be interested selling Ozil during the last transfer window but the club couldn’t find a buyer for the 30-year-old, who commands a £350,000-a-week wage at the London club.

Ozil is quoted by Athletic as saying “No. I have a contract until the summer of 2021 and I will be staying until then,” when asked about the chances of leaving Arsenal.

“When I signed the new deal, I thought about it very carefully and said it was one of the most important decisions of my footballing career. I didn’t want to stay for just one or two more years, I wanted to commit my future to Arsenal and the club wanted me to do the same.

“You can go through difficult times, like this, but there is no reason to run away and I’m not going to. I’m here until at least 2021.

“I said that Arsene Wenger was a big factor in me joining Arsenal — and he was — but ultimately I signed for the club. Even when Arsene announced he was leaving, I wanted to stay because I love playing for Arsenal and that’s why I’ve been here for six years.

“When I moved from Real Madrid, it was a really tough time for Arsenal. But I always believed in what we could do and together we delivered. More recently, things have been difficult and a lot has changed. But I’m proud to be an Arsenal player, a fan and I’m happy here. Whenever people see me in the street I always say, ‘This is my home’. I’m going nowhere.”