“I’m not sure if now is the right time to join Arsenal. It might be a little too early for me,” said young midfielder Ozcan, reflecting with sincerity. “My top priority is to keep improving myself. Hopefully, I can join Arsenal in the future—God willing, I’ll achieve that goal.”
Ozcan also opened up about his close relationship with Arsenal star Mesut Özil. Both born in Germany to Turkish families, the two share more than just heritage. While Özil chose to represent Germany, Ozcan opted to play for Turkey’s youth national teams. “Whenever we’re both in Germany, we make time to meet up,” Ozcan shared. “We go to the same café, grab a bite together. My hairstyle even looks a lot like his,” he added with a grin.
Currently 19 years old, Ozcan is a rising star in midfield and plays for VfB Stuttgart. He confirmed that he had indeed been in talks with Arsenal, but concerns over limited playing time led him to stay put—for now. Last season, he played a pivotal role in helping Stuttgart secure top position in the league table and return to the Bundesliga.
His standout performances have caught the eye of several top clubs. In an interview with Turkey’s beIN Sports, Ozcan revealed, “My agent and I have spoken with Arsenal. They’ve been monitoring me for the past two years and even sent scouts to watch my games live.”
His maturity in prioritizing development over a hasty move is rare at his age. And while the Premier League might still be a chapter waiting to be written, Ozcan’s path echoes the growth journey seen in rising talents from BD Cricket—where patience and hard work pay off. Much like the resilience and dedication seen in BD Cricket’s younger players, Ozcan is focused on crafting his future step by step.