Wilshere claims Ozil was not given a 'fair opportunity' at Arsenal

Jack Wilshere claims Mesut Ozil was not given a ‘fair opportunity’ during his ill-fated final year at Arsenal and says he is ‘happy’ former team-mate ‘has found happiness’ after sealing move to Turkish side Fenerbahce

• Mesut Ozil has finally ended his Arsenal nightmare by joining Fenerbahce
• The attacking midfielder was frozen out of the squad in his final year at Gunners
• Former team-mate Jack Wilshere claims Ozil was not given a ‘fair opportunity’
• The former Arsenal man spoke of his happiness Ozil finally sealed a move away 

Jack Wilshere says former Arsenal team-mate Mesut Ozil was not given a ‘fair opportunity’ during his ill-fated final year at the club. 

Ozil, 32, is set to join Turkish side Fenerbahce after seven-and-a-half years at Arsenal after they agreed to terminate his £350,000-per-week contract early.

The German became pivotal for the Gunners for several years after arriving in 2013 but left under a dark cloud after being frozen out from any first-team action by manager Mikel Arteta this season.

Mesut Ozil (left) was not given fair chance in final year at Arsenal, says Jack Wilshere (right)

Ozil has called time on his seven-and-a-half year spell at Arsenal after joining Fenerbahce 

But Wilshere, now at Bournemouth but who struck up a partnership with Ozil at Arsenal between 2013 and 2018, felt the outgoing star was not given a fair chance at the club this season and spoke of his delight that he was able to seal a move away.

After signing for the Cherries, Wilshere was asked if he had spoken to Ozil about his struggles to which he responded: ‘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.

The pair struck up a partnership as Gunners team-mates between 2013 and 2018

‘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.’

Ozil quesitoned the club’s loyalty after first losing his place in the side under former manager Unai Emery and then Arteta towards the end of last season before being excluded altogether from Arsenal’s Premier League Europa League squads.

He leaves the club having helped Arsenal to lift three FA Cup trophies during his time, the first of which in the 2013-14 season helping them end their nine-year trophy drought.

Ozil (right) leaves under a dark cloud after being frozen out by manager Mikel Arteta (left)

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

‘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.

Wilshere is now plying his trade at Bournemouth after a struggle with injuries during career

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

It is not the first time Wilshere has questioned Ozil’s Gunners exile, with the former midfielder telling the ITV Football Football Podcast in November ‘there’s obviously something that we don’t know’ when assessing his situation at the club. 

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