Mesut Ozil has refused to rule out a sensational return to Real Madrid in the future casting further doubt over his long-term Arsenal future.
The Germany international joined Arsenal for a club-record £42.4m from Madrid in 2013 and has since established himself as one of the best players in the Premier League.
However, Ozil has entered the final two years of his existing deal with Arsenal and there has been an unwillingness to commit his future, even though the two parties are in negotiations about a lucrative new contract at the moment.
The 28-year-old would not be short of suitors should he force a move away from Arsenal, although a return to Spain would likely rank high on his list of priorities after revealing he misses Madrid.
“I am very happy playing at a club as big as Arsenal, who have incredible fans,” Ozil told Marca. “I like playing in London, but in football you never know… We will see what happens in the future.
It’s not an interview that makes good reading for Arsenal fans, as Ozil also declared his admiration of Madrid manager Zinedine Zidane as both a player and a manager.
“Zidane was always my idol. From a little boy I always watched his games and wanted to be like him. I play in the same position and he is a reference for me. When I met him for the first time at Madrid I was very nervous. He calmed me down, gave me confidence and we had a great relationship.
“Now he is a great coach. He won the Champions League in his first season, there is nothing bigger than that. I am very happy for him as he’s a great person and I always believed in his potential s a coach. I wish him the best.
Speaking ahead of Madrid’s clash with Barcelona on Saturday, in which they can go a staggering nine points clear of their fiercest rivals, Ozil was wax lyrical about his old club, in what almost started to sound like a come and get me plea.
“Madrid is an enormous club, I played with some fantastic players, I still have friends there. And the Madrid fans are very loyal and good to me, they still support me, even though I play for another team now. Many of them send me messages asking me to return, I still have good memories from there.
“When I see Madrid play I want them to win. And when they lose I get a bit sad. I will be rooting for them in the Clasico on Saturday. I miss the weather… it is always sunny. I have great memories of my time there, the club, the city, the fans. Of course, sometimes you think about it, you can miss it… But now I am happy at Arsenal, although you never know what can happen. We will see.”
In the last four Premier League campaigns Ozil has completed more assists than any other player in the division (34).
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