Mohamed Elneny advised to move to Turkey by Arsenal team-mate

Ozil Elneny TEAMtalk

Arsenal midfielder Mohamed Elneny says that Mesut Ozil advised him to join Turkish outfit Beskitas.

The Egypt midfielder was told by Gunners boss Unai Emery that it was advisable for him to move on this summer.

“Last year with Mustafi and Mo, when they didn’t play they weren’t happy and I spoke with them a lot of times last year and this pre-season and I think it is positive for them to leave and sign for another team where they can be protagonists and be happy and continue their careers,” said Emery last month.

The 27-year-old somewhat predictably then left on a season-long loan deal to Besiktas with the Turkish Super Lig club covering his wages.

And in his first interview to Turkish paper Milliyet via Sport Witness, he admitted Ozil was key in his decision to leave.

“Mesut is an amazing man. He is a person that I really care about. We had wonderful moments together at Arsenal. Of course, I spoke with him before my decision to come to Besiktas. Mesut knows the country very well.

“He advised me to join Besiktas. After I completed my move to the club, I called him and invited him here.”

Elneny joined Arsenal in January 2016 from FC Basel and made 89 appearances for the north London club and is still contracted to the Gunners until June 2022.