Mesut Ozil’s agent reveals shock at Arsenal treatment

The former Germany international left the Emirates Stadium under a cloud in January 2021.

Mesut Ozil’s agent, Dr. Erkut Sogut, has opened up on his shock at how Arsenal exiled the German towards the end of his stay.

The World Cup-winning playmaker spent seven-and-a-half years at the Premier League side, making 254 appearances while winning three FA Cups and the Community Shield.

But Ozil eventually lost favor and, despite a lucrative £350,000-a-week contract, he found himself exiled under manager Mikel Arteta before joining Turkish club Fenerbahce for free in January 2021.

“I just ask for fair treatment like with any other player,” Sogut told The Mirror about Ozil’s exile at Arsenal.

“But to not be in the squad at all, that was a couple of days before the window was closing and it was too late for us to react anyway.

“Maybe three days, four days before when I was told he might not be in the squad at all, he might not be listed. So that was a surprise. First for the Europa League and then for the Premier League as well, that was not expected by us at all.

“The coach didn’t want him in the squad and the player has to accept that, what can you do?

“He always said he wanted to stay until the end of his contract, but when he realized it wouldn’t change he didn’t see any reason just to sit and not be in the squad at all.

“It’s not easy for any player and he realized as well: ‘Look, I need to move on now, even though I’d love to stay here. I won’t play for the rest of the season, at all, so when that was clear there was no reason to stay there for five months.”

EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW 🚨

Mesut Ozil's agent Dr Erkut Sogut on his client's time at Arsenal, on being frozen out under Mikel Arteta and his retirement plans.

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Ozil never fell out with Arteta

On Ozil’s relationship with Arteta, Sogut added: “They played together, they were friends together on the pitch, they shared a lot already, and then he became his coach.

“It was no longer a ‘you’re my friend’ relationship. And it doesn’t matter where you play as a football player you have to respect the coach fully, and that is what he did. He respected every decision the coach took, and as a person, there was no problem at all.

“He spent most of his career at Arsenal and it was a special time coming and winning immediately the FA Cup after such a long time Arsenal won a cup again, and the fans were really hoping for a player like him to come and bring some brilliance on the pitch.

“He came at a moment and really things changed in a positive direction. Especially in the first couple of years, I think it was great and he enjoyed it a lot. I mean, he owes the fans a lot he even says they created a song for him. He didn’t have that anywhere else.”