The Top Flight
Fansided

Mesut Ozil: Did loyalty cost the German his place at Arsenal?

By Varun Aithal

LONDON, ENGLAND - OCTOBER 22: Pierre-Emerick Aubamayang of Arsenal celebrates with Mesut Ozil after scoring Arsenal's third goal during the Premier League match between Arsenal FC and Leicester City at the Emirates Stadium on October 22, 2018 in London, United Kingdom. (Photo by Visionhaus/Getty Images)
LONDON, ENGLAND - OCTOBER 22: Pierre-Emerick Aubamayang of Arsenal celebrates with Mesut Ozil after scoring Arsenal's third goal during the Premier League match between Arsenal FC and Leicester City at the Emirates Stadium on October 22, 2018 in London, United Kingdom. (Photo by Visionhaus/Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
2 of 3
Next

In the transfer window, Arsenal tried off-loading the player multiple times before the new campaign kicked off.

The 32-year-old, however, decided to stay at Emirates and fight for his place. It seems that his loyalty might have cost him his career following his loyal choice.

It is not a new thing for the Arsenal players to throw away their loyalty in order to reach greater heights in the Premier League. Robin van Persie left Arsenal in 2012 after Arsene Wenger’s side went on to finish third.

They finished 19 points below their rivals Manchester that season. Sir Alex Ferguson later prized away Wenger’s most valuable asset (RVP) from the Gunners for his final season in charge and won the title with him. The Dutchman scored 26 goals and collected 15 assists for the Red Devils.

More from Arsenal

Even Alexis left Arsenal for the same reason. Both Ozil and Sanchez were in the final year of their contracts (at the start of 2017/18) ) and both were adamant not to sign a new deal but somehow, “Le Professor” convinced the German to commit his future to the club long-term.

Without thinking twice, Mesut Ozil signed a contract extension whereas Sanchez left in search of greener pastures. Though both didn’t win any trophy that season, Manchester United finished second while Arsenal finished sixth. The Red Devils ended as runners-up in FA Cup as well that same season.

Despite the Chilean failing to impress at Old Trafford, he was able to move out of the club when Ole Gunnar Solskjaer took the reigns as manager.

Inter Milan has revived Sanchez’s career at the San Siro after they took the Chilean of their hands. Sanchez struggled to settle at United since his move but got regular playing time under Jose Mourinho and a couple of shots under Ole.

Home/Arsenal