Bayern Munich CEO Karl-Heinz Rummenigge has admitted that he is annoyed by claims that Mesut Ozil has been criticised in Germany owing to his Turkish roots. The 29-year-old called time on his international career shortly after the World Cup citing racism and discrimination as the prime reasons behind the move.

Since then, there have been plenty of former players, who have opined on the decision and Rummenigge has now given his own response. Speaking to Bild, he said: “That’s a tale told by his representatives, and I’m just annoyed by this. Agents these days make so many more statements, give so many interviews. It’s partially fairytales.”

Meanwhile, Rummenigge went on to stress that Bayern were never keen on signing the attacker after he impressed for Germany at the 2010 World Cup, he added:”Uli [Hoeness, Bayern’s president] and I were always deaf in that ear. That was never a player we considered, even just one percent — never. And when we played [against Arsenal in the Champions League] in London, Uli always said he hoped Ozil would play.”

Ozil rejoined Arsenal during their pre-season tour of Singapore last month and he managed to find the scoresheet in the 5-1 triumph over a weakened Paris Saint-Germain side. The German has since travelled with his teammates back to London and the Gunners have couple of friendlies against Chelsea and Lazio to tackle before they prepare themselves for the season opener against Manchester City.

Based on the team strengths, City would be fancied to beat the Gunners at the Emirates but the hosts have the advantage of having nearly every first-team player in the squad. City had the most number of players participating at the recent World Cup in Russia and Pep Guardiola has recently suggested that none every one of them could return for the curtain raiser.