Oguzhan Ozyakup has left Arsenal to join Turkish side Besiktas

Oguzhan Ozyakup left the Gunners for Besiktas

Departed Arsenal midfielder Oguzhan Ozyakup has revealed that Robin van Persie helped convince him to leave the Gunners.

The 19-year-old midfielder joined Turkish side Besiktas last month after failing to make an appearance in the Premier League for the north London side.

“I consulted Van Persie and he agreed that it was in my best interests to make the move” he told Haberturk.

“Leaving Arsenal was one of the hardest things I’ve ever done, it was really upsetting.

“However, Beşiktaş made me an offer which was hard to refuse, one of the biggest clubs in Turkey was promising me first team football.”

Ozyakup revealed that van Persie, who revealed he was not going to sign a new contract last week, was a player he looked up to.

“Arsenal really treated me well, Van Persie helped me a lot when I first joined from The Netherlands. He would invite me to his family home for meals.

“Van Persie was a great motivator, I promised him I’d score in my first game but unfortunately I couldn’t.

“However, he told me after the game I would have scored if given another 20 minutes and praised my performance.