Mesut Ozil has claimed he has been shut out of the first team ahead of leaving Arsenal in 2021, despite Vinay Venkatesham’s statements to the contrary at the time.
Mesut Ozil talks about leaving Arsenal (Image: Anadolu, Anadolu, via Getty Images)
Mesut Ozil has been candid about his decision to leave Arsenal, claiming he was removed from the first-team set-up after speaking out about the mistreatment of Uyghur Muslims in China. The former midfielder brought to light the issue of human rights violations in northwestern Xinjiang through social media posts in late 2019.
At the time, Arsenal distanced themselves from his comments and released a statement on the Chinese platform Weibo, stressing that they were not involved in politics. It read: “Arsenal must issue a clear statement regarding comments made by Mesut Ozil on social media.
“The content expressed is Ozil’s personal opinion. As a football club, Arsenal has always adhered to the principle of not getting involved in politics.”
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Ozil then claims the club “closed the door” on him as he was removed from first-team duties and forced to train alone until his contract with the Emirates was mutually terminated and he completed a move to Turkish side Fenerbahce in January 2021.
Speaking on stage at the Leadership in Turbulent Times summit earlier this week, Ozil reflected on his tumultuous time at the Emirates: “I heard about the Uyghur Turks and then I did my research. And of course, as a star, I had a voice.
“And I knew that if I posted something about this kind of thing, there would be trouble. But I didn’t care. I posted it and I’m happy. So, of course, they closed the door on me. They didn’t let me play anymore. I understand my teammates.”
“So if they contact me, they’re going to be in trouble too. They have to take care of their families too, so this was a decision in response to what I did. Of course, I had some difficult times because I know I enjoyed playing football. They just took that away from me.”
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Ozil added: “I always tell young people that getting married young and having children gives you more power than anything else. So I was glad that my wife and children were by my side, because it was a really difficult time for me, because I was out of the national team and training alone for eight months.”
“But you know, I’m always grateful because God takes it away from you. Don’t give up. The strongest people next to you are your family. If they support you, another door will open for you.”
At the time, former Gunners CEO Vinay Venkatesham, now at relegation-threatened Tottenham Hotspur, flatly rejected suggestions that the club distanced itself from Ozil because of his outspoken opinions. “I don’t think it’s fair to say we took a commercial perspective,” he said.
Mesut Ozil spent eight years at Arsenal (Image: Stuart MacFarlane, Arsenal FC via Getty Images)
“I know it’s been reported that way, but I don’t think it’s fair to say that. We’ve been asked to comment on this situation, mainly in China, but generally so.
“Our position was that it was a statement made by the player in his personal capacity. There were no commercial drivers behind it. It was clear that Mesut was not making a club statement, but that he was making a statement in his personal capacity, as is his right.”
The German spent eight years at the Emirates after joining from Real Madrid in 2013 for £42.5 million. Injuries ruined his final season as a soccer player, and he will retire in 2023, close to a successful career.
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