Mesut Ozil Opens Up on Decision to Reject Arsenal Pay Cut

Mesut Ozil has explained why he refused to accept Arsenal’s proposed wage cut during the coronavirus pandemic, saying players were pressured into making a decision without being given enough information.

Arsenal’s squad initially rejected a 12.5 per cent salary reduction for 12 months before most players eventually agreed to the proposal following discussions involving manager Mikel Arteta.

Ozil, however, declined to take the cut and said he believed the process had been rushed.

“As players, we all wanted to contribute,” Ozil told The Athletic. “But we needed more information and many questions were unanswered.”

The midfielder said he would have been prepared to accept a salary deferral and possibly a larger contribution later if the club’s financial position became clearer.

According to Ozil, players deserved to understand why the money was needed and how it would be used before agreeing to such a significant change.

“We didn’t get enough details, we just had to give a decision,” he said. “It was far too quick for something so important and there was a lot of pressure.”

Ozil also said his family responsibilities, charitable commitments and other financial obligations influenced his decision.

Reports had suggested he was the only Arsenal player to reject the wage reduction, but the former Germany international disputed that claim.

“As far as I’m aware, I was not the only player who rejected the cut in the end, but only my name came out,” he said.

Ozil suggested he had been unfairly singled out and accused some critics of attempting to damage his reputation.

His comments came shortly after Arsenal announced plans to make 55 employees redundant, a decision that reportedly caused frustration among members of the playing squad.

Ozil had featured regularly after Arteta took charge but did not make a single competitive appearance following the restart of football.

Asked whether his refusal to accept the wage cut had affected his chances of playing, Ozil said he could not be certain.

“Possibly the decision affected my chances on the pitch, I don’t know,” he said. “But I’m not afraid to stand up for what I feel is right.”