In a recent interview highlighted by The Touchline, former Arsenal star Mesut Özil has reflected emotionally on his high-profile departure from the club. The German playmaker, known for his sublime vision and creativity, revealed the personal toll of being sidelined, stating he felt the club “closed the door” on him and “took football away” despite his willingness to speak out on issues he believed in.
“As a star, I had a voice, and I knew I had to speak out on certain things. If I posted, I knew I would get in trouble with Arsenal. But I didn’t care, I posted it and I was happy,” Özil said. He added: “So they closed the door on me. They didn’t let me play anymore.”
🚨🗣️ 𝗡𝗘𝗪: Mesut Özil: "As a star, I had a voice, and I knew I had to speak out on certain things. If I posted, I knew I would get in trouble with Arsenal. But I didn't care, I posted it and I was happy."
"So they closed the door on me. They didn't let me play anymore."
"It… pic.twitter.com/BmyVWUBbob
— The Touchline | 𝐓 (@TouchlineX) April 29, 2026
The comments appear to reference the fallout following Özil’s outspoken 2019 Instagram post supporting the Uyghur Muslims in China’s Xinjiang region, which drew strong backlash from Chinese authorities and prompted Arsenal to publicly distance itself from his views, emphasizing the club’s apolitical stance. Soon after, under manager Mikel Arteta, Özil was omitted from Arsenal’s Premier League and Europa League squads in October 2020, effectively ending his playing time at the Emirates.
“It was difficult, because I was enjoying playing football and they just took it away from me. I thank God that I had my wife and kids with me,” the 2014 World Cup winner continued, highlighting the emotional strain of the situation.
Özil joined Arsenal from Real Madrid in 2013 for a then-club-record fee and became a fan favourite for his assist-making brilliance, particularly during the early Arsène Wenger years. However, his later seasons were marred by fitness concerns, contract disputes, and the broader political controversy. He eventually left the club in 2021, later playing briefly for Fenerbahçe and İstanbul Başakşehir before retiring in 2023.
This latest reflection revives debates about loyalty, player activism, and club politics in modern football. While some viewed Özil’s stance as principled, others saw it as disruptive to Arsenal’s commercial interests, especially in the lucrative Chinese market.
Fans continue to remember Özil’s magic on the pitch his no-look passes and game-changing creativity remain iconic. As he focuses on family life (recently welcoming a third daughter), his words serve as a reminder of the human side behind the headlines in elite football.