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Özil wants to sit out the contract: "I decide when I go"

2020-08-13T09:28:45.446Z


London (AP) - Former German soccer world champion Mesut Özil has again denied rumors of an early departure from Arsenal FC.


London (AP) - Former German soccer world champion Mesut Özil has again denied rumors of an early departure from Arsenal FC.

"My position is clear, I will stay here until the last day of our agreement," Özil told the online magazine "The Athletic". "If a club wants a player to leave and the player refuses, the club has to accept that, unless they can find a solution together. I don't want to leave, that's that." Özil's adviser had previously ruled out a move.

Özil no longer plays a role under Arsenal coach Mikel Arteta. It has long been known that the Londoners want to get rid of Özil. But that's not an option for the 31-year-old. "I decide when I go, not other people," he said.

In the past Premier League season, Özil was only used in 18 of 38 games. After the league was interrupted due to the corona pandemic, the midfielder did not play a single game. The former international was also not in the squad for the final of the FA Cup, which Arsenal won against Chelsea.

However, Özil rejected speculations about a lack of fitness. "I was fit enough for every game before the break. And apart from a small injury, I was afterwards too," he said and was combative. "I will never break in situations like this, they just make me stronger. I've shown earlier that I can come back to the team and I'll show it again."

Özil also defended his decision to reject a salary waiver during the Corona crisis. "We didn't have enough details, we should just agree," he said. That was not fair, especially for young players, so he refused. "In the end I wasn't the only player, but only my name came out," said Özil. "Anyone who knows me knows exactly how generous I am."

© dpa-infocom, dpa: 200813-99-151666 / 2

The athletic interview with Özil (payment barrier)

Source: merkur

All sports articles on 2020-08-13

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