NOT so very long ago, Mesut Ozil would have baulked at the mere suggestion of a pre-season trip to the other side of the world. But as Arsenal touched down in Singapore yesterday Ozil could not have looked happier to be part of Gunners’ 25-man squad sweltering in the oppressive Asian summer heat. 5 Mesut Ozil is delighted to finally be back with Arsenal Credit: Getty In recent years, the German playmaker has used his international commitments to escape the unrelenting criticism his Premier League performances drew from fans and the British media. But now the boot is on the other foot and Ozil is suddenly discovering his staunchest supporters are those Arsenal team-mates sheltering him from the s**t storm back in his home country. The 29-year-old superstar has remained aloof from many of his Emirates colleagues in previous years. Yet there is no doubt that he is now welcoming the comfort he is receiving from his band of brothers. Arsenal star Mesut Ozil ends Germany international career over racism and disrespect 5 Ozil is relishing his time in Singapore after a torrid World Cup Credit: Getty Arsenal’s flight to Singapore had already taken off on Sunday lunchtime when Ozil issued a lengthy statement on social media criticising his treatment during the World Cup and announcing his withdrawal from the German national team. By the time the plane landed 13 hours later, his comments had shaken his homeland to its core and sparked an international debate about racism and multiculturalism. Nobody has been more vociferous than outspoken Bayern Munich president and convicted tax dodger Uli Hoeness. The loudmouth former West German international was quick to react to Ozil’s announcement, fuming: “He has been s**t for years, a poor excuse for a footballer who has no place in the international team. Ex-Arsenal player Ray Parlour says Ozil's international retirement could benefit club 5 Ozil has quit the international stage following a barrage of criticism Credit: AFP “Ozil last won a tackle before the 2014 World Cup but now hides his s**tty performances behind this picture.” Ozil, born in Gelsenkirchen as a practising Muslim and the proud son of Turkish immigrants, accused German FA president Reinhard Grindel of leading the bigotry against him. His declaration claimed: “In the eyes of Grindel and his supporters, I am German when we win but an immigrant when we lose. “I used to wear the German shirt with such pride and excitement but now I don’t. I feel unwanted.” Germany and Arsenal star Mesut Ozil announces retirement from international football aged 29 Ozil first found himself at the centre of the political storm when he joined Manchester City’s Ilkay Gundogan for a meeting with the controversial president of Turkey, Recep Tayyip Erdogan, in March. Photographs of the two German internationals presenting signed shirts to hard-liner Erdogan led to loud questions being asked about the patriotism and commitment of both players. Gundogan immediately issued an apology for the meeting but Ozil refused to comment on the matter despite pressure from Grindel and from German general team manager Oliver Bierhoff. Both players were booed by their own fans during Germany’s warm-up games and Ozil was a shadow of his usual self during a disastrous World Cup for the defending champions. 5 Ozil believes the criticism is racist after he was called out for meeting Turkish president Recep Erdogan Credit: AP:Associated Press His half-hearted performances during shock defeats by Mexico and South Korea were blamed for the team’s failure to qualify from the group stage for the first time since 1938. Coach Joachim Low refused to make Ozil the scapegoat. But Bierhoff claimed: “Considerations should have been made about whether to leave Ozil out of the squad. The fact that Ozil and Gundogan took the pictures did not distract the squad but the debate afterwards did. “Mesut did not say what was expected of him. We never force any player to do something but we always try to convince them. With Mesut, we failed.” Now Ozil has finally broken his silence, announcing: “Because of recent events, I will no longer be playing for Germany at international level whilst I have this feeling of racism and disrespect.” Germany fans blame Mesut Ozil for early World Cup 2018 exit Ozil left the door open for a return if the political climate changes but the deafening silence from his team-mates suggests he will not exactly be welcomed back with open arms. Contrast that lack of support with the reaction of Arsenal’s Spanish full-back Hector Bellerin, who yesterday tweeted: “Surreal that someone who has done so much for his country on and off the pitch has been treated with such disrespect. “Well done Mesut Ozil for standing up to this behaviour.” Ironically, Ozil’s international isolation could lead to him being fully embraced once again by the Arsenal family. 5 Ozil will now be fully focused on his club career under new boss Unai Emery Credit: Getty Ex-Arsenal player Ray Parlour says Ozil's international retirement could benefit club This is the first time he has participated in a long-haul pre-season trip with Arsenal since his move from Real Madrid five years ago. In the past, he was always allowed to report back late by Arsene Wenger while he recovered from his summer exertions with the national team. But Germany’s premature retreat from Russia meant he returned to work earlier than usual in a drive to get fit and ready. Arsenal play Atletico Madrid here on Thursday and Paris Saint-Germain on Saturday before moving on for games against Chelsea in Dublin on August 1 and Lazio three days later in Stockholm before the big kick-off against Manchester City on August 12. New boss Unai Emery has made it clear that he will not indulge the club’s highest-paid player in the way that Wenger was often accused of. Signed for a then club-record £42.5million, Ozil’s contribution to an under-performing team became the subject of fierce debate during Wenger’s final years as manager. So the decision to hand him a budget-busting £350,000-a-week contract in January to prevent him walking away as a free agent this summer was always going to be contentious. But now Ozil has the chance to show his gratitude by producing his magic on a consistent basis in the Arsenal No 10 shirt which he has always craved.<doc-sep>SINGAPORE - After 92 caps, 23 goals and a World Cup winners' medal, Mesut Ozil quit international football out of despair but, as his shock decision continues to divide opinion, his club colleagues at Arsenal are standing united behind him. The Gunners are currently in Singapore for the 2018 International Champions Cup (ICC) and will play Atletico Madrid at the National Stadium tonight. And, on Wednesday (July 25), the team met fans and media at various events across the country. The quartet of Alexandre Lacazette, Henrikh Mkhitaryan, Aaron Ramsey and Shkrodan Mustafi were present at the Padang for an event with club sponsor Emirates. There, they posed for wefies with fans at iconic landmarks such as the Merlion and the Marina Bay Sands. Midfielder Ramsey said: "Mesut's a vital member of the team and he's been great for us over the years. It's important for us to stand by him. "I'm not sure exactly what is going on (the circumstances surrounding Ozil's retirement) but we are behind him and there's a place for him here at Arsenal." Centre-back Mustafi, who also plays for Germany, rallied behind Ozil. He said: "It's a personal decision that he made but, as a team-mate and a friend, I stand behind him. If he needs my help, I am going to be there for him. Related Story German FA refutes Ozil's racism claims "I'm a bit disappointed because he is an amazing footballer who gave a lot to Germany. From my point of view, he's going to be missed, but we have to accept his decision." Ozil was present during a meet-and-greet session with fans at Clarke Quay on Wednesday afternoon. It was his first public appearance since he announced his retirement bombshell on Sunday. The 29-year-old was a quiet figure throughout the session, smiling and signing autographs with fans as he expressed his excitement to be in Singapore without discussing his recent announcement. He said: "We are expecting good matches against Paris Saint-Germain and Atletico Madrid. "They are great teams with great players, it's a test for us to get ready for the new season, so it's something to look forward to." The playmaker, who has Turkish roots, was the target of criticism for his performances during the World Cup in Russia, where defending champions Germany crashed out in the group stage, as well as for his meeting with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan in May. At a training session held at the Singapore American School on Wednesday morning, new Arsenal manager Unai Emery emphasised that it is pertinent to create a sense of normalcy for his No. 10. The Spaniard said: "All of us want to help Mesut feel like it is his home here with us, like a family and it is a family for every player. "He arrived on Sunday to travel and I prefer to give him the normality in the team and for him to feel good with us. He has experience, he has quality and he has a great mentality and we are going to help him feel good and to show his quality with us. I am sure he is going to have a big season with us." Goalkeeper Petr Cech echoed that sentiment as well, adding: "As a team, we support him here, we try to make sure he feels good, so he can train and perform at his best. As a team, that's all we can do. "Obviously his decision is his decision and everyone should respect that. He's training really well, he's happy to be with us and we're happy to have him back as well because he is one of the key players in our team and we need him to be fit and ready for the season."<doc-sep>Mesut Ozil with another assist…kind of (Picture: AP) Mesut Ozil may have endured a difficult summer on and off the pitch but the Arsenal man clearly hasn’t lost any of his stardust. The midfielder retired from international duty earlier this week, accusing the German Football Association of treating him with ‘racism and disrespect’. Ozil’s performances at the World Cup were poor but he returned early to Arsenal’s pre-season in a bid to impress new boss Unai Emery. The German was named as captain against Paris Saint-Germain for today’s clash in Singapore and the referee couldn’t resist asking Ozil for his signature in the tunnel. Gif: Mesut Özil signing the referee’s yellow card in the tunnel before the friendly against PSG. [@ArsenalTerje] #afc pic.twitter.com/5imdHoKyln — afcstuff (@afcstuff) July 28, 2018 Ozil was clearly taken aback by the rather bizarre request but had no problem with obliging….by signing the referee’s YELLOW CARD. The 29-year-old’s day got even better in the 15th minute when he put the Gunners ahead against the Ligue 1 giants. Henrikh Mkhitaryan set Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang away down the right and the Gabon forward squared for Ozil to score past Gianluigi Buffon. MORE : Arsenal fans praise Unai Emery for captaining Mesut Ozil against PSG<doc-sep>
Arsenal have touched down in Singapore ahead of their pre-season glamour friendlies in the International Champions Cup against Atletico Madrid and Paris Saint-Germain. Unai Emery's side, who travelled on a private Boeing 777, touched down after a gruelling 13-hour flight and have three days to adjust to their surroundings before taking on Diego Simeone's men. Mesut Ozil was snapped alongside his Arsenal team-mates, hours after announcing he has quit international football with Germany because of 'racism and disrespect'. Mesut Ozil cut a relaxed figure as Arsenal touched down in Singapore on Monday Ozil announced he's quit international football on Sunday, citing 'racism and disrespect' New Arsenal goalkeeper Bernt Leno makes his way to the team bus in Singapore Ozil published a statement on Twitter on Sunday, explaining: 'The treatment I have received from the DFB (German Football Association) and many others makes me no longer want to wear the German national team shirt. 'I feel unwanted and think that what I have achieved since my international debut in 2009 has been forgotten. 'I will no longer be playing for Germany at international level whilst I have this feeling of racism and disrespect. I used to wear the German shirt with such pride and excitement, but now I don't.' Ozil could feature for Arsenal when they meet Atletico at the Singapore National Stadium on Thursday, with temperatures expected to reach 32 degrees on the day of the match. Matteo Gunedouzi and Alexandre Lacazette make their way through Singapore airport Matches with Atletico Madrid and PSG will provide Sokratis a chance to bed in at Arsenal Unai Emery will have reunion with his former club, PSG, in Singapore on Saturday ARSENAL FIXTURES July 26: Atletico Madrid, National stadium, Singapore July 28: PSG, National stadium, Singapore Aug 1: Chelsea, Aviva Stadium, Dublin Aug 4: Lazio, Friends Arena, Stockholm Advertisement The two games allow Emery to step up preparations for his first season in England as he looks to usher in a new era after the 22-year tenure of his predecessor, Arsene Wenger. And Emery will also have a reunion of his own on his hands when Arsenal take on his previous club, PSG, on Saturday. Emery had a two-year tenure in the French capital and departed last season having won the domestic Treble at the club.