Mesut Özil has admitted he had no desire to leave Real Madrid for Arsenal but was persuaded by Arsene Wenger to make the move.

The German joined in 2013 for an alleged £42.5 on a five-year deal and is in current contract negotiations with the Gunners as he seeks to address his future at the club.

His contract expires at the end of next season and it’s understood Wenger’s next move at the club could determine whether or not the German signs a new deal.

In the latest serialisation from Ozil’s autobiography published in German newspaper Bild, the 28-year-old said joining Arsenal was the toughest decision of his life.

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.

“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.”

27 things you need to know about Mesut Ozil Show all 27 1 /27 27 things you need to know about Mesut Ozil 27 things you need to know about Mesut Ozil He's Arsenal's record signing He arrived from Real Madrid for £42.4m in 2013 2013 The Arsenal Football Club Plc 27 things you need to know about Mesut Ozil Ozil was the assist king at Real Madrid In his three seasons at the Bernabeu, he created 47 league goals. 17 in season one (one behind assist leader Lionel Messi), 17 in season two (the most in La Liga) and 13 in 2012/13 (just behind assist leader Andrea Iniesta) 2013 Getty Images 27 things you need to know about Mesut Ozil He has a unique celebration His 'M' goal celebration, where he makes the letter with his fingers, is in dedication to his niece Mira 2015 The Arsenal Football Club Plc 27 things you need to know about Mesut Ozil He was the joint highest assist provider at the 2010 World Cup AND Euro 2012 He made three goals at both tournaments 2014 Getty Images 27 things you need to know about Mesut Ozil He always prays from the Quran before a match 'I always recite from Quran before I go out (on the pitch). This really helps me to keep me focused. I pray and my team-mates know that they cannot talk to me during this brief period.' 2015 The Arsenal Football Club Plc 27 things you need to know about Mesut Ozil Jose Mourinho is a big fan 'Ozil is unique, there is no copy of him, not even a bad copy' 27 things you need to know about Mesut Ozil He's had some odd nicknames He's been called The Raven - due to his smart and opportunistic style of play 2013 AFP 27 things you need to know about Mesut Ozil Finding Nemo He's also been likened to the Clown Fish is the Disney film 27 things you need to know about Mesut Ozil Goetzil When he played alongside World Cup final goalscorer Mario Goetze for the German youth sides, they were nicknamed Goetzil because of how good they were together 27 things you need to know about Mesut Ozil Ozil is a great philanthropist He famously spent his bonus for winning the 2014 World Cup on operations for 23 Brazilian children 2013 AFP 27 things you need to know about Mesut Ozil Mandy Capristo He once dated the German singer 2014 Getty Images 27 things you need to know about Mesut Ozil He is the seventh most popular sportsman on social media Cristiano Ronaldo, Lionel Messi, David Beckham, Kaka, Neymar and Ronaldinho are the only players who can claim to be ahead of him 27 things you need to know about Mesut Ozil His ancestors are from Turkey Ozil is a third generation German 27 things you need to know about Mesut Ozil He's been spotted eating kebabs in north London on numerous occasions Not necessarily at 3am 27 things you need to know about Mesut Ozil Mesut Ozil has said he wants to win the Ballon d'Or 'If I continue to develop well and stay healthy, I would like, in the next few years, to hold the Ballon d’Or in my hands. I am convinced that it can happen' 27 things you need to know about Mesut Ozil 'I am a Gunner' These were his first words after joining Arsenal - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TWm8NA4TTTE 2013 AFP 27 things you need to know about Mesut Ozil Ozil made his first professional start with Schalke in 2006 He moved to Werder Bremen in 2008 and then joined Real Madrid in 2010 before switching to Arsenal in 2013 2007 Getty Images 27 things you need to know about Mesut Ozil He can do keepy-uppys with chewing gum Yep, that's right - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Co_-Es-7rKI 27 things you need to know about Mesut Ozil 'Only God Can Judge Me' The name of a Tupac song, and the words of a tattoo Ozil has 27 things you need to know about Mesut Ozil More artwork Ozil also has a huge roaring lion on his upper left arm 27 things you need to know about Mesut Ozil He's been named Germany player of the year three times In 2011, 2012 and 2013 27 things you need to know about Mesut Ozil He started all seven of Germany's games at the 2014 World Cup Including that 7-1 win over Brazil 27 things you need to know about Mesut Ozil He once quoted Arsenal legend Tony Adams on social media Ozil wrote on Facebook: 'Play for the name on the front of the shirt and they’ll remember the name on the back', accompanied by a picture of him celebrating for the Gunners GETTY IMAGES 27 things you need to know about Mesut Ozil Ozil is the highest paid player at Arsenal He earns £140,000-a-week 27 things you need to know about Mesut Ozil When Rooney had a meltdown in 2010 over a new contract, according to Sir Alex Ferguson, the Manchester United captain urged the club to sign Ozil They didn't 27 things you need to know about Mesut Ozil He enjoys a cigarette He's been pictured puffing on smokes before 27 things you need to know about Mesut Ozil Theo Walcott is a big fan 'He makes football look easy'

He 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.”

When he was first unveiled as an Arsenal player in 2013, Ozil said that Real’s coaches had lost faith in him and the respect shown by Wenger was what he needed.