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Ozil looks forward to friendlies, avoids retirement talk

Ozil looks forward to friendlies, avoids retirement talk

Ozil

Singapore, July 25, 2018 (Reuters/NAN) Arsenal’s Mesut Ozil avoided any talk of the controversy surrounding his retirement from international football as he opted to focus on the club’s pre-season tournament in Singapore on Wednesday.

The 29-year-old quit the national side on Sunday citing “racism and disrespect” due to his Turkish roots as key to the decision.

He was singled out for criticism when Germany bombed out of the recent World Cup in the group stages.

Making his first public appearance since his retirement statement triggered a bad-tempered debate in Germany about relations with its largest immigrant community, Ozil was all smiles at a fan event in Singapore.

“It’s very exciting to be in Singapore. It’s our second time here and we really enjoy coming,” he told a gathering of Arsenal fans.

Arsenal take on Atletico Madrid at the National Stadium before they also play Paris St Germain on Sunday.

“We are expecting good matches against Paris St Germain and Atletico Madrid.

“They are great teams with great players, it’s a test for us to get ready for the new season, so it’s something to look forward to,” said Ozil

He was also criticised for meeting Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan in May, where the pair were photographed holding up an Arsenal shirt.

He has yet to comment on his retirement since he announced it through social media.

Arsenal forward Reiss Nelson and midfielder Alex Iwobi sat alongside Ozil at the fan event in Singapore.

“Training has been good and Emery has been a major influence to what we are doing on the training ground.

“He’s looking to bring through the young players as well… pushing them, so they will have a feeling they can shine under the new coach,” Nelson, 18, said.

Arsenal open the new Premier League campaign with a home fixture against champions Manchester City on Aug.12. (Reuters/NAN)

KIA/MUYI/SA

Edited by Muhyideen Jimoh/Salif Atojoko

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Sport

Ozil signs new Arsenal contract, becomes club’s highest-paid player

NAN-S-20
Player
Abuja, Jan. 31, 2018 (NAN) German World Cup winner Mesut Ozil gave Arsenal FC a big boost on Wednesday by finally agreeing a new contract.

It is a contract which will see him become the highest-paid player in the club’s history.

According to reports on the club’s official website, the 29-year-old playmaker signed a three-and-a-half year contract and will earn around 350,000 pounds a week.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Ozil has been with the Gunners since joining from Real Madrid for a then-record club fee of 42.4 million pounds in 2013.

Speculation over the future of both Ozil and Chilean Alexis Sanchez had plagued the club for almost a year, as their contracts were up at the end of the present campaign.

However, while Sanchez left for Manchester United, Ozil has committed himself to Arsenal until 2021.

The Chilean has become the highest-paid player in the Premier League at a weekly wage of 500 000 pounds.

“Both parties reached an agreement last weekend and Ozil signed the new contract at Arsenal’s training ground on Wednesday,” a statement on the club’s website said.

Mercurial playmaker Ozil, a key member of the German side which won the 2014 World Cup, has scored 36 goals in 182 appearances and provided a high number of assists.

Arsenal have had a busy on Wednesday as Gabon striker Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang signed for reported club-record 56 million pounds from Borussia Dortmund.

Aubameyang’s signing has gone on to prompt Olivier Giroud’s departure to Chelsea, some hours immediately after.(NAN)
VO/OLAL
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(Edited by Olawale Alabi)