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Laurent Koscielny defends Mesut Ozil in Arsenal row

By Ben Knapton, Senior Reporter | 26 October 2020

Ex-Arsenal defender Laurent Koscielny jumps to the defence of his former teammate and Gunners outcast Mesut Ozil, claiming that the playmaker is a "phenomenon".

Former Arsenal defender Laurent Koscielny has claimed that Mesut Ozil is a "phenomenon" amid the playmaker's seemingly bleak future in North London.

The former Real Madrid man appears to have played his last game for the Gunners after being left out of Mikel Arteta's squads for the Premier League and Europa League.

Ozil's agent has since hit out at Arteta's decision to axe the 32-year-old - claiming that the Gunners manager was not being entirely truthful about the situation - and Koscielny has also jumped to his former teammate's defence.

Speaking to L'Equipe, Koscielny said: "As a man, he's a very good person, who got along with all his teammates.

"He gave a lot, helped sick children. He is a generous person, with whom I got along very well. As a player, he is in my opinion a phenomenon. He can find passes that no-one sees, he's a maestro. He can rock a game with incredible passes.

"We're both part of the 'Arsene Wenger Generation'. The coach loved him as a player. It was more complicated with Unai Emery and Mikel Arteta. Knowing him, he must always be professional in training, always on time.

'He is undoubtedly at the level demanded by the Premier League. There is probably a certain case with the club since last year, I hope both sides find a deal that works for everyone.

"He is a competitor. I hope to see him back on the pitch soon, at Arsenal or elsewhere, because he is real talent."

Ozil's contract at the Emirates Stadium is set to expire next summer, and the ex-Germany international has repeatedly made it clear that he intends to see out the remainder of his deal with Arsenal.