One iconic former England international has now shared his honest feelings about how one Arsenal star’s career ended.
Mikel Arteta has not shied away from taking on big decisions since his appointment as Arsenal manager in December 2019.
He was ruthless and decisive in his decision to axe Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang from the squad, and he was also convinced that David Raya represented an upgrade over Aaron Ramsdale.
At one stage, Arsenal fans were calling for Ramsdale to come back into the team ahead of Raya. As with all of these contentious calls, though, the Spanish coach has ultimately been vindicated.
Prior to making either of these decisions, though, Arteta opted to drop Mesut Ozil from his first team plans.
Given how early into his tenure he made this call, and considering the job at the Emirates Stadium is Arteta’s first in management, it is admirable how single-minded the manager was.
Whilst Ozil had long divided opinion in North London by the time Arteta cut him from the first team, he undeniably remained a superstar name.
The German played his last game for the Gunners in March 2020, and was ultimately allowed to leave on a free transfer in January 2021.
78-cap former England international Stuart Pearce has now reflected on the final stages of Ozil’s Arsenal career.
Stuart Pearce regrets how things came to an end for Mesut Ozil at Arsenal
Speaking on talkSPORT (02/06/2024, 11:59), the 62-year-old said: “I first came across him in 2009 when our Under-21s played the German Under-21s in the final. Neuer was in the team, Boateng, Ozil, I think six World Cup winners went on to play in 2014 five years later, played in that team, and he was an outstanding young talent coming through.
“But my defining memory, probably the last few years certainly at Arsenal, was a player that lost his work ethic on a football pitch and his form really dissipated and it was sad to see.”
What has Ozil done since leaving Arsenal?
The 35-year-old got back to playing regular football across spells in Turkey with Fenerbahce and Istanbul Basaksehir, before having up his boots for good in March 2023.
Arsenal fans will be stunned by the physical transformation Ozil has undergone since retiring.
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