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Theo Walcott says he loved ‘class’ player Arsenal released

Billy Meyers

Sat 16 March 2024 16:15, UK

Theo Walcott has used one word to describe Mesut Ozil – who Arsenal released back in 2021.

The man from Stanmore made the comments when speaking to Goal.

So, what did Theo Walcott say about his old Arsenal teammate Mesut Ozil? Let’s take a look…

Theo Walcott praises Mesut Ozil

Well, the man from Gelsenkirchen was released by Mikel Arteta back in 2021 after failing to adhere to the “non negotiables” the Spaniard sets at the Emirates Stadium.

Nevertheless, Walcott opted to use the word “class” to Ozil when asked to provide one adjective.

The 35-year-old was also asked about Cesc Fabregas, using the word “precision” to describe the Spaniard.

Walcott made appearances alongside Ozil – combining to score eight goals while averaging 1.83 points per game – so the Englishman is well placed to comment on the German.

The pair won three FA Cups together at Arsenal – along with the FA Community Shield on two occasions.

How much Arsenal paid to offload the German

Arsenal showed a lot of trust in Arteta when terminating Ozil’s contract, as it cost the Gunners a fortune.

Not only did the playmaker cost an initial when arriving from Real Madrid back in September 2013, but Arsenal paid him a salary of £350,000-a-week for a substantial time period while he was out of favour.

The believe Arsenal eventually paid Ozil off with a package worth over £16m.

It was an expensive exit, as were the decisions to terminate the contracts of Shkodran Mustafi, Sead Kolasinac and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang.

Nevertheless, Arteta has been proven right on all of those players, and Arsenal are in much better shape under the 41-year-old.

It was surely a tough time for those in the boardroom at the Emirates Stadium, but they deserve credit for backing the Spaniard’s vision of how things should be at Arsenal.