Mesut Ozil: I saw I couldn’t count on the coach’s trust

Former Real Madrid playmaker Mesut Ozil has revealed that in the last few days he realised he “couldn’t count on the coach’s trust” and that is why he decided to sign for Arsenal.

After sitting on the bench in Los Blancos last game against Athletic Bilbao and seeing Gareth Bale arrive on a world-record transfer, the 24-year-old and the club decided the best for him was to accept the Gunners offer.

Ozil is expected to become an integral part of North London team. “Arsene Wenger has told me he has faith on me”, he told the German Football Association’s website.

At the weekend, I was certain that I would stay at Real Madrid, but afterwards I realised that I did not have the faith from the coach or the bosses. I am a player who needs this faith and that is what I have felt from Arsenal, which is why I have joined.

“I am really looking forward to it. I had spoken to him at length on the telephone, he explained his plans and that he has faith in me – that is what I need as a player.

“Wenger gives me the faith and I can develop further. I know what I can do and I know that I could make the grade with any club in the world because I am so convinced in myself, but if I don’t feel people have faith in me, then that is why I had to leave and at Arsenal, I feel I have this fully.

“I am sure the new coach is going to develop me further and I am also really looking forward to playing in the Premier League.”

Arsenal will pay Real Madrid 45 million euros for the German international, plus other 5 million depending on future results. Ozil will make 7.5 million a year.