Mesut Ozil has explained why he chose Arsenal when he left Real Madrid in 2013.
The Germany star, who shot to worldwide fame as part of Joachim Low’s fearless and youthful team at the 2010 World Cup in South Africa, joined Real after the tournament from Werder Bremen.
He spent three years at the Benabeu, winning La Liga in 2012, before he made the switch to Arsenal in August 2013.
He has now revealed that it was Arsenal’s history of developing great attacking players like Thierry henry, Robert Pires and Dennis Bergkamp that convinced him to make the £42.5m move.
“I spoke with Wenger and he wanted me at Arsenal. I said ‘if I get the opportunity to change clubs, you’ll be the first [choice]’,” he told the Gunners’ YouTube channel.
“So we spoke and I decided to come. I remember [Thierry] Henry, Dennis Bergkamp, Robert Pires – such great players – and I wanted to be a part of them.
“My first and second year we won the FA Cup. I really enjoy playing for such a big club like Arsenal.”
Ozil, 28, is enjoying an excellent start to the season with Arsenal and manager Arsene Wenger has urged him to sign a new contract with the club if he wants to become a club legend like Bergkamp.
“Dennis Bergkamp committed for a long period, played until he was 38. I wish we have 10 more years of Ozil. That depends. To become a legend at the club you need to stay for a long time,” he said.
“I understand that being a legend like Dennis Bergkamp, if you stay two years you would not be a legend.”
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