• Premier League

Ancelotti denies pushing Ozil to Arsenal

ESPN staff
September 14, 2013
Mesut Ozil believes Carlo Ancelotti did not have faith in him at Real Madrid © Getty Images
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Carlo Ancelotti has hit out at Mesut Ozil's claims that he had no place at Real Madrid, insisting the German was not forced out of the club.

There has been an ongoing public row between the two parties since Ozil joined Arsenal on deadline day, fuelled by the player's suggestion that he was shown "a lack of confidence and trust" in his abilities at Madrid.

But Ancelotti has strongly denied not having faith Ozil, refusing to accept the blame for his exit.

"I heard many talk about what Ozil has said, and I want to tell my side," Ancelotti said. "He says we had little confidence, but Ozil played two of the first three games of the season.

"No player is leaving if they do not want to. With new competition for his starting spot, he thought he had a lot to do and asked to leave."

Madrid assistant Zinedine Zidane echoed Ancelotti's comments on Friday, suggesting Ozil was unwilling to fight for his place.

Ancelotti has also rejected claims that Real let Ozil leave too easily, citing the depth of attacking players in his squad as evidence they made the right decision.

"Considering we have many players in his position, from a tactical standpoint, we had no problem with him leaving," he added. "The club received a good deal for the player, and everyone is happy now."

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