Ozil WILLING to Stay and Fight for His Place at the Emirates

Arsenal’s Mesut Ozil has revealed that despite the recent dip in form at Arsenal, he is willing to stay and fight for his place.

The former Real Madrid star who signed a new three and a half year contract worth 350,000 per week in January last year has received criticism from fans for his demeanor on the field of play which has seen him feature in just two of the Gunners 11 games this season.

“When I signed the new deal, I thought about it very carefully and said it was one of the most important decisions of my footballing career. I didn’t want to stay for just one or two more years, I wanted to commit my future to Arsenal and the club wanted me to do the same.

“You can go through difficult times, like this, but that is no reason to run away and I’m not going to. I’m here until at least 2021.

“When I moved from Real Madrid, it was a really tough time for Arsenal. But I always believed in what we could do and together we delivered. More recently things have been difficult and a lot has changed. But I’m proud to be an Arsenal player, a fan and I’m happy here. Whenever people see me in the street I always say, ‘This is my home’. I’m going nowhere.”

The 31-year old disclosed the frustration involved when watching the games from the bench but he has no option than to respect the decision of the manager. He addressed his eagerness to help the team succeed hence the hard work in training.

“It’s disappointing, of course, but as a professional footballer I have to respect the decision of the coach.

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“I’ve worked under some of the biggest coaches in the world — Arsene, Jose Mourinho, Joachim Low — and always I show respect. It’s the same for Unai.

“We might not see eye-to-eye on everything but that’s normal, it’s life and it’s the same with my family and friends. You have to accept it and go forward.

“Not being involved, watching from home, makes me feel helpless.

“I want to be part of the side, I want to support my team-mates to succeed. I’m not training all the time just for the sake of it, I’m ready to play. This should not be about me or the coach, only the club. I have to give everything, be fit and focused, and I’m training hard to be ready.

“Pre-season went very well and although things were disrupted by the [moped] attack, since then I’ve been fully available and when the coach has selected me I’ve been ready, played and always tried to give my best.

“I’ve trained at the same level my whole career but because I’ve not had minutes recently, I’m doing extra work with the fitness coach and in the gym to get even fitter than normal.

“I know what is needed and believe in myself.”