A celebrated Arsenal figure was in the same boat as Julian Alvarez before being convinced to sign for the Gunners
Julian Alvarez of Atletico Madrid looks on during the UEFA Champions League 2025/26 Semi Final Second Leg match between Arsenal FC and Atletico de Madrid
Julian Alvarez has no desire to join Arsenal(Image: 2026 DeFodi Images)
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Julian Alvarez's refusal to join Arsenal was a mindset Mesut Ozil once shared - until the involvement of Arsene Wenger.
The Argentine striker has publicly pushed for a move to Barcelona this summer but remains an Atletico Madrid player with less than two weeks left in the transfer window. The Gunners have held a long-term interest in the 26-year-old striker, with Mikel Arteta and Andre Berta both believed to be huge admirers of him.
His club are said to be open to a swap deal with the Gunners that would see the Argentine join the Premier League champions with Victor Gyokeres going the other way, according to Spanish outlet Mundo Deportivo. The potential deal doesn't have Alvarez's blessing, however, with the player said to be reluctant to return to England after leaving Manchester City two years ago.
Ozil was in a similar predicament at Real Madrid 13 years ago before the German ended up signing for Arsenal. Prior to his then club-record £42.5million move on deadline day in 2013, Ozil had no desire to leave the Spanish giants.
He was coming off one of the best seasons of his career, having scored 10 goals and provided 25 assists in 52 games across all competitions. Despite his influence on those Madrid teams featuring Cristiano Ronaldo, Karim Benzema and Angel Di Maria, Ozil felt a lack of faith from manager Carlo Ancelotti, who replaced Jose Mourinho in the summer of 2013.
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Feeling disillusioned, Ozil previously revealed in his autobiography that he contacted one man when seeking a move away from Madrid. He said: "In fact, my change from Real Madrid was the most difficult decision of my life. In my mind the journey with Real was not yet finished.
Arsene Wenger and Mesut Ozil embrace following Arsenal's FA Cup final victory over Chelsea in 2017
Mesut Ozil was convinced to join Arsenal after speaking to Arsene Wenger(Image: Getty Images )
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"There was also this man with the quiet voice, the possessive approach and the wise words that showed me that he really wanted me. Wenger gave me a much better feeling than Carlo Ancelotti did at Real." The German added: "I chose, although it was not easy for me at the beginning, a number which I had in my mobile phone since 2010.
"'Mr Wenger', I said. 'I promised to contact you first if there was the possibility I would look for another club. Now I am here.'" Upon his arrival at the Emirates Stadium, Ozil cited Wenger's belief in him among the reasons why he left Spain.
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"At the weekend, I was certain I would stay at Real Madrid but afterwards I realised I did not have the faith from the coach or the bosses," Ozil said. "I am a player who needs this faith and that is what I have felt from Arsenal, which is why I have joined."
The Gunners kicked off their Premier League campaign with a resounding 3-0 win over Coventry City amid their chase for Alvarez. The champions picked up all three points thanks to goals from Kai Havertz, Bukayo Saka and Martin Odegaard.