Mikel Arteta reacts to Mesut Ozil’s exclusion from the Arsenal squad
Arsenal midfielder Mesut Ozil was left out of the club’s Premier League squad and the European squad earlier this month and manager Mikel Arteta has now revealed the real reason behind his decision.
The Arsenal manager explained that it was his decision and he is responsible for Ozil’s exclusion from the squad.
Arteta went on to explain that the reasons are purely football-related and it is his failure that he has not managed to get the best out of the German playmaker.
“Everybody is free to express his feeling,” Arteta said in his pre-match press conference. “That’s just a football decision that my conscious is really calm.
“I’ve been really fair with him, my level of communication with him has been really high.
“He has had the opportunities like everybody else. I’m sad I had to leave three players out of this list.
“I take full responsibility, I have to be the one getting the best out of the players. It’s my responsibility. The pay cuts, it’s not true.”
Ozil is in the final year of his contract with the Gunners and he should look to leave the club when the transfer window reopens in January.
Although he is not at his best anymore, Ozil is still a good player who needs to play regularly at this stage of his career.
The former World Cup winner is on massive wages at Arsenal and the Gunners will also be keen on getting him off their books. It remains to be seen if there are any suitors willing to take the midfielder off Arsenal’s hands in the coming months.
Ozil has not played for Arsenal since March and he has recently sent out a statement on social media explaining his disappointment after being left out of Arsenal’s 25-man Premier League squad.
