After Germany racism row, Mesut Ozil thanks Arsenal fans for 'showing so much love'

Mesut Ozil, who was in news for announcing his retirement from international football over 'racism', thanked Arsenal fans for their love at a pre-season friendly.

Ozil had raised several racism allegations against Germany's football body.

The midfielder watched Arsenal's penalties defeat to Atletico Madrid from the bench but received one of the biggest cheers of the night when his image was flashed up on the big screen.

"Thanks to the Gunners in Singapore for showing so much love tonight," the 29-year-old German midfielder tweeted, with a picture of him waving to the crowd.

As per reports, Arsenal fans dominated the audience of 23,000 who watched the London team go down 3-1 on penalties to Atletico in the International Champions Cup, after normal time ended at 1-1.

Meanwhile, German football chief Reinhard Grindel rejected the racism charge but admitted he should have defended Ozil after the playmaker was attacked for having a photograph with Turkey president Recep Tayyip Erdogan.

Ozil, who was born in Germany to Turkish-origin parents and lifted the World Cup in 2014, also felt he was unfairly singled out for their shock group-stage exit at this year's tournament.