Miguel Aziz feels ‘wrongly judged’ at Arsenal due to fashion choices (Image: GETTY)
The former Arsenal player has revealed that he felt “misjudged” during his stay at the Emirates Stadium because of his penchant for wearing high heels and jewellery. The player joined the Gunners aged just five and spent the next 11 years developing through the youth system. He earned a professional contract in 2019 and seemed destined to make a mark at first-team level.
The midfielder moved to the North London side the following year and came on as a substitute in the Europa League game against Dundalk. This was his only senior appearance, after which he moved on loan to Portsmouth, Ibiza and Wigan Athletic. He left Arsenal permanently in early 2024, joining Spanish fourth-division club Atlético Baleares.
A player of concern is Miguel Azes, who showed considerable promise during his time at Arsenal but ultimately failed to establish himself.
Earlier this year, he confessed that he felt “misjudged” because of his unconventional sense of style, and went on to claim that people believed he was “aloof”.
Reflecting on the circumstances of his departure, Azeez told The Athletic: “I definitely felt it was not an adversity, but a wrong decision. Ask anyone at Arsenal, but I was always the first to train and the last to leave.”
“If I looked like a typical soccer player, they wouldn’t think anything of it, but my looks, my hair, my face, my jewelry, whatever it is, they’ll say, ‘He’s trying to come early and be aloof to be alone.’
“I was just trying to grow. At Arsenal, the word ‘alone’ was used against me. While I was working in the gym, my team-mates were Snapchatting on their phones in the changing room. But they saw me alone and tried to put two and two together.
“The players seemed to buy into that, which was good. It came from the coaching side. I don’t know if it’s an upbringing thing or a hierarchy thing. I took it as people thinking, ‘Who does he think he is? Does he think he’s better than me?’
The Azeez currently play for non-league side Morecambe. (Image: Getty)
“No, I’m just being who I am. I’m not doing any harm by wearing heels. There was always something that represented the badge. I get that, but I think they wanted a different image than what I was giving.”
Azeez, who currently plays for non-league side Morecambe, revealed he felt forced to leave the team to pursue opportunities elsewhere. He also expressed regret that he did not receive approval from the club for his departure in 2024.
“I felt like I had to go,” he continued. “I train with the under-21 team, I’m in the first team, I’m on the bench, but I can’t play. I had to try to make my own way.
“I don’t think anyone would want a player not to extend his contract, but it wasn’t a great send-off. Normally when a player leaves, they get their shirt signed by all the players and staff. I didn’t get that, and I didn’t get a farewell meeting.”
“I didn’t mind because I don’t need that to feel recognized, but I’m the player who’s been playing the longest so it would have been nice to get something.”
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