Former Arsenal star Mesut Ozil says Bukayo Saka deserves respect for stepping up in England's Euro 2020 final penalty shoot-out defeat to Italy and has urged the teenager to stay strong in the face of racism. Former Arsenal playmaker Ozil empathised with Saka over his penalty shoot-out heartbreak and offered his support to the 19-year-old in an exclusive interview with Sky Sports News. Image: England's Kalvin Phillips and Luke Shaw comfort teammate Bukayo Saka after he failed to score a penalty"I felt very much for Bukayo," said Ozil. Ozil, who played for Germany between 2009 and 2018, retired from international football citing racist abuse. Asked if he has any advice for the Saka, Sancho and Rashford, Ozil said: "Unfortunately there will always be a small part of our community that racially insults and threatens players.

Source: Sky sports July 21, 2021 20:26 UTC