MATTEO GUENDOUZI revealed Mesut Ozil helped convince him to leave Arsenal for Hertha Berlin.
The French midfielder, 21, joined the Bundesliga side on a season-long loan after finding himself out in the cold like Ozil.
Mesut Ozil convinced Matteo Guendouzi to go out on loan to Bundesliga side Hertha BerlinCredit: Getty Images – Getty
And the youngster revealed it was the playmaker – as well as fellow German Bernd Leno – who told him to make the switch to their homeland.
Guendouzi told Kicker: “I had a very good relationship with Mesut Ozil and Bernd Leno.
“Both of them told me a lot of good things about the Bundesliga.”
Guendouzi joined the Gunners for £7million in 2018 on a four-year deal but had a series of run-ins with boss Mikel Arteta last season – including during a warm-weather training camp in Dubai.
He then landed himself in further hot water for the way he lost his cool against Brighton on June 20 – and has not played for Arsenal since.
The former Lorient man, who is yet to feature for Hertha and has also contracted coronavirus, added: “I played over 80 games there [at Arsenal] and had a good, intense time there.
“I learned a lot there in terms of sport and grew up there. It was two good years for me.”
Guendouzi is yet to feature for the Bundesliga side since making the switch to GermanyCredit: Getty Images – Getty
Like Guendouzi, Ozil looks to have no future at the Emirates.
His last competitive appearance was March 7 and the £350,000-a-week man was left out of both Arsenal’s Premier League and Europa League squads.
The ex-Germany international looks unlikely to play again for the club as he winds down the remaining eight months on his contract.
Ozil is running down his £350,000-a-week contract but looks to have already played his final game for the GunnersCredit: Getty Images – Getty
Mikel Arteta bullish over Mesut Ozil axe and insists Arsenal outcast has no-one to blame but himself
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
