Wilshere: Ozil wasn't given fair opportunity in final year at Arsenal

Mesut Ozil

is about to end his seven-and-half-year presence at Emirates. The German midfielder is expected to join Turkish side

as Arsenal have reportedly agreed to terminate the 32-year-old’s contract. Ozil has been negotiating with his new club over final contract details and he is expected to be officially unveiled over the weekend. Many have criticized the club’s attitude toward the player in his last year at Emirates.

Mikel Arteta

left the ex-German international out of his squad list for the current season of

and

and Ozil has not made any appearances for Arsenal since March 2020.

,who has recently joined Championship side

, was asked if he has talked to Ozil about his transfer.

"No. I was friends with Mesut during my time at Arsenal and we had a really good relationship on and off the pitch, I thought.

"But no, I didn’t speak to him. I’m sure it was as difficult for him [to not be playing] as it was for me. It’s not nice to be in a position where you’re not given that opportunity – a fair opportunity – to try and challenge for a place in the team.

"Listen, people can have bad games and miss out on the team, but to not be given an opportunity is tough, and was tough, to take.

"So I’m happy that he has found happiness and hopefully he can go on to be successful in Turkey."

Wilshere added:

"It’s a difficult one because I’m not at the club anymore and I’m like every other fan looking in.

"All I remember from him is what a joy it was to play with him. A top, top player. One of the best I played with.

"It’s a shame the way it went at Arsenal, but I’m sure a lot of the fans will remember him for his early days there when we had a really good team and we should have probably won a little bit more.

"But we won a couple of FA Cups and it was a pleasure to play with him."

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