Mikel Arteta speaks about Mesut Ozil for the first time since ‘failing’ him at Arsenal

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At this point of Mikel Arteta’s time at Arsenal, it’s almost hard to remember that he initially had to remedy Mesut Ozil’s situation in north London.

Arteta was appointed as Arsenal manager in December 2019, and Ozil then eventually left the club in January 2021, heading to Fenerbahce in Turkey.

Ozil’s final year or so at Arsenal was messy, Arteta decided to omit the German international from his Premier League and Europa League squad in the 2020/21 season.

Ozil then expressed that “loyalty is hard to come by nowadays” on social media, referencing his decision to stick with Arsenal in 2018 and sign a new contract.

In response, Arteta said he had been fair with his communication but admitted to the press that he had ‘failed’ Ozil, who he only wanted the best for.

Of course, Ozil has now retired from football but Arteta’s time as Arsenal manager has continued, and since making such a tough decision he’s only gone from strength to strength at the Emirates Stadium.

Mikel Arteta says that Mesut Ozil was an ‘unbelievable’ game-changer at Arsenal

Given the sensitivity of the situation – Ozil was much loved or loathed by Arsenal fans, Arteta has seldom mentioned the German’s name since he left the club.

However, when speaking on the ‘Men in Blazers’ podcast, Arteta mentioned Ozil alongside other Arsenal icons such as Santi Cazorla and Tomas Rosicky.

READ MORE: Remembering Mesut Ozil destroyed Mikel Merino at the Emirates

Arteta was speaking about Arsenal’s midfielders over the years on the podcast and mentioned that some had been ‘unbelievable’, before then name-checking Ozil.

Arteta said: “I had the privilege of playing with some great ones and we have some great ones here, some of them have been unbelievable.

“I remember, not to mention one of my own players, Santi, Rosicky and Mesut, they had the ability to create those moments.”

Of course, in Arsenal’s search for a new number eight to complete Arteta’s midfield this summer, perhaps he would like to call upon one of those three back in their prime.

But it seems as if Arsenal will sign Merino, an excellent talent who knows what’s required in the Premier League.

And perhaps Arsenal will provide a late transfer surprise, one that agent Gabriel Magalhaes might be able to help them with.