Arsenal midfielder Mesut Ozil has insisted he is in no rush to leave the club before the end of his contract, adding that he willing to give best for the club and that his four-year deal should be respected by all parties.
Ozil’s future at the Emirates Stadium has been the topic for discussion throughout the season, having been left out of the squad for match days on several occasions.
There have been talks of the club moving him on in the summer as they feel his huge wage could be used elsewhere rather to cater for a player who has hardly been involved in the just ended campaign.
However, the former Germany international has claimed the decision to leave the club will only be decided by him and plans to fight for a place in Mikel Arteta’s team until his contract is up.
“My position is clear,” the German told The Athletic. “I’m here through to the last day of our agreement and I’ll give everything I have for this club.
“Situations like these will never break me, they only make me stronger. I showed in the past that I can come back into the team and I will show it again.”
“I’ll decide when I go, not other people. I didn’t sign for two or three years, I signed for four and that should be respected by everyone.
“Things have obviously been difficult but I love Arsenal, I love to work there, I love the people in the club — the real people, those I’ve been with for a long time — and I love London, it’s my home.
“Whatever happened in the last two seasons, I’m happy and very strong mentally. I never give up on anything. I want to help my team and I’ll fight for it. If I’m fit, I know what I can do on the pitch.”
Having been left out by the Spanish manager in the most part of his time, Ozil also added that he will be ready if and when he is called upon and remains committed to the Arsenal cause.
“When a player wants to leave and the club says no, the player must accept it unless they find a solution together. So when a club wants a player to leave and the player says no, the club must accept it unless a solution can be found together. I don’t want to leave, so that’s it,” Ozil added.
“In 2018, I had plenty of options that would have earned me far more money as a free agent, but I committed myself to Arsenal because this was the club and the fanbase I wanted to play for. In that sense, nothing has changed. Mikel knows my quality and I will be ready when he needs me.
“I’m not going into pre-season thinking, ‘Final year, I can chill — I know I don’t play’. These are not easy times for Arsenal and I want to help.
“I still have a lot to offer and I train as hard as I can, whether I’m in the squad or not. If you’re called in, you have to be prepared. I’m doing all the necessary work on the pitch, with the fitness coach and in the gym. This is all I can do.”
