OZIL ACCUSES ‘DISLOYAL’ ARSENAL

■ GUNNERS’ TOP EARNER VENTS HIS FURY AT SQUAD SNUB ■ MANAGER ARTETA INSISTS ‘MY CONSCIENCE IS CLEAR’

MESUT OZIL is ‘deeply disappointed’ to be axed from Arsenal’s Premier League squad and insists his loyalty to the club has not been reciprocated.

The highest-paid player in Gunners’ history on a reported £350,000-a-week, Ozil has also been omitted for the Europa League and has not played a single minute since March 7.

‘This is a difficult message to write to the Arsenal fans,’ Ozil (right) posted on social media.

‘I’m really deeply disappointed I have not been registered for the Premier League season.’

The German, whose deal expires next summer, added: ‘Upon signing my new contract in 2018, I pledged my loyalty and allegiance to the club I love, Arsenal, and it saddens me this has not been reciprocated.

‘As I’ve just found out, loyalty is hard to come by nowadays. I’ve always tried to remain positive That’s why I kept silent so far.’

It is understood Ozil, 32, was one of three players who refused to take a pay cut earlier in the year, while Arsenal distanced themselves from a social media post he put out in December, denouncing the treatment of Uyghurs in China.

Ozil played in every top-flight match for Mikel Arteta before the pandemic and he added: ‘Before the break I was really happy with the development under [Arteta] and I’d say my performances were on a really good level. But then things changed and I was no longer allowed to play for Arsenal. No matter what, I will keep fighting.’

Speaking before tonight’s Europa League tie with Rapid Vienna, Arteta said: ‘It is just a football decision. My conscience is very calm because I have been really fair with him. My job is to get the best out of every player. Here I feel at the moment that I have failed.’