Get all your news in one place.
100’s of premium titles.
One app.
Start reading
Football London
Football London
Sport
Aaron Catterson-Reid

Mesut Ozil issues Arsenal Premier League title verdict and opens up on complicated relationship

Mesut Ozil has shown that he harbours no ill feelings to Arsenal after announcing his retirement earlier this week.

Ozil arrived at the Emirates Stadium back in the summer of 2013, joining from Real Madrid for a then-club record fee of £42.5million. The skilful playmaker was a huge hit in north London, helping end the club's nine-year trophy drought in his debut campaign as the Gunners beat Hull 3-2 in the FA Cup final in dramatic fashion.

The former German international went on to win another three FA Cups over the next six seasons before he fell out with current manager Mikel Arteta, eventually leaving the club in January 2021. Then on Wednesday, the 34-year-old announced that he was hanging up his boots with a social media statement, leading to plenty of tributes from some of football's biggest names, including the likes of Kevin De Bruyne and Alexis Sanchez.

READ MORE: Aaron Ramsdale reveals the two main reasons for Arsenal's huge improvement this season

Now, Ozil has lifted the lid on his time at Arsenal, refusing to dwell on the complicated ending before admitting that he would love to see his former side win this season's Premier League title. Asked to sum up his time with the Gunners, 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!"

Arsenal currently find themselves eight points clear at the top of the Premier League table, although second-placed Manchester City do have one game in hand on their title rivals.

READ NEXT:

Leandro Trossard delivers Arsenal Premier League title verdict amid Man City battle

The one simple Mikel Arteta tactic that has turned Arsenal duo into Europe's best

Saka, White, Odegaard, Gabriel and Saliba all superb - Arsenal 2022/23 players ratings so far

Arsenal takeover theory as Stan Kroenke plots 'emotional' plan amid Mikel Arteta success

Arsenal news and transfers LIVE: All the latest news, rumours and gossip from the Emirates Stadium

Sign up to read this article
Read news from 100’s of titles, curated specifically for you.
Already a member? Sign in here
Related Stories
Top stories on inkl right now
One subscription that gives you access to news from hundreds of sites
Already a member? Sign in here
Our Picks
Fourteen days free
Download the app
One app. One membership.
100+ trusted global sources.