It’s undoubtedly been a trying time for Mesut Ozil recently, following the fallout from Germany’s dismal World Cup showing for which he was unfairly scapegoated, and then his decision to quit the national side via his very strong statements on Sunday.
He has looked happy to be back among his Arsenal teammates though, jetting off to Singapore and taking part in training as normal, and although Unai Emery hasn’t spoken to him specifically about what’s gone on, he’s backed his player to hilt as you would expect.
The Spaniard’s is the first line we’ve had from the club who, as yet, haven’t made an official statement about the matter – although they did Tweet something about diversity without specifically addressing the Ozil situation.
He said, “It is a personal decision from Mesut and I respect it. He thinks what is best for him, he explained his decision and here we need to help him.
“All of us want to help Mesut feel like it is his home here with us, like a family and it is a family for every player.
“He feels here with us that he can work every day, and it is good for us that he decided to come here and work with us before our two matches.”
As for what’s to come from Ozil in the campaign ahead, Emery continued, “He has experience, he has quality and he has a great mentality and we are going to help him feel good and to show his quality with us.
“I am sure he is going to have a big season with us.”
Today’s main blog
Emery backs Ozil as we get worrying developments at board level
A big season for Ozil is a title. COYG
Encouraging to see that Emery rates him, given the strong attitude that he wants players to have. Looking forward to Mesut having a great season.
Wonder what was going on in that picture
Come on Ozil take it out on the premier league, let’s see some record stats and get us back on track.
I found it ironic that in the clubs diversity tweet, the black players were all standing together.
Organisations always put blacks very visible in any pictures or videos that show diversity. Plus, isn’t natural to see Monreal, Bellerin and Cazorla (when he was here) together ? Same for Mesut, Mustafi, BFG ? Our black players are french from France. All of our players seem to connect very well no matter their origins but that does not preclude natural connections.
Was hoping to see our BFG, Per Mertesacker, come out in support of Ozil’s principals in this matter or at least give his opinion. I suppose it is difficult in his circumstances but was hoping all the same. To a lesser extent, same goes for Mislintat.
I totally disagree. Nobody should feel compelled to express an opinion for or against anything because of his or her citizenship.
Shout out to the German tabloid journalists who hijacked this little presser with Ozil-related questions. The bottom-feeders tried to get Unai to say something critical about Ozil and the fact that Erdogan called him and Unai just swatted them all away:
“I think I explained my opinion very clear”
#IstandwithOzil in everything
Emery not Boss. Not yet.