Mesut Ozil may still be learning about life in England two years after his move to Arsenal, but the German playmaker is delighted to have the opportunity to do so.
Arsenal’s £42.5 million record signing has made a stuttering start to life in the Premier League, at times wowing fans with scintillating performances but has also seen games pass him by, earning the ire of some fans for his inability to dictate contests.
However Ozil has settled well into life in London and the midfielder puts that down to his willingness to adapt to new circumstances and cultures.
When I joined the club, I knew some players from playing alongside them in the national team or at Werder Bremen,” Ozil told the Arsenal website. “But in general, I enjoy being able to meet new people and experience new cultures.
“I lived in Spain and got to know the wonderful culture and people there. Now I’m in England, where I’m learning the language and the culture.
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“I love what I do and I’m thankful that football helps me develop myself by learning new languages and different cultures. I’m proud of that.”
Ozil, who was born in Gelsenkirchen to Turkish parents, has been extensively involved in charity work throughout his footballing career, most notably donating his World Cup prize money to fund 23 childrens’ surgeries in Brazil.
His altruistic work earned him the title German Football Ambassador and the Arsenal player is keen to promote such causes, particularly as a notable face of the success with which the country has integrated international communities.
The 26-year-old said: “Integration is a difficult topic. The best example is the German national team because lots of people from other cultures come together and play with respect. That’s how it should be in general life.
“You should be open with one another, you should treat each other with respect. If that happened, things would look different, also in general.
“I’m the sort of person who can integrate quickly. I’m a normal person and people who know me know that I’m quite quiet and just like doing my thing. That was the case here, with the German national team and in my youth.”
