Petr Cech included in Chelsea's Premier League squad while Arsenal omit Özil
Petr Cech has been included in Chelsea’s 25-man Premier League squad as emergency goalkeeper cover – but there is no place in Arsenal’s squad for Mesut Özil.
Cech, who is now a technical adviser at Stamford Bridge, is one of four goalkeepers included in Frank Lampard’s squad despite having retired from football last year. Cech’s last game was against Chelsea in the Europa league final in which Arsenal lost 4-1 in Baku but he has also been playing in goal for the ice hockey team Guildford Phoenix.
“Petr Cech has been included in the squad as emergency goalkeeper cover,” Chelsea said in a statement on Tuesday. “This is a precautionary step due to the unprecedented conditions currently caused by the Covid-19 crisis. He takes up a position as a non-contract player.”
Meanwhile, Özil’s omission from Arsenal’s squad has cast even further doubt on his future at the club. The 32year-old is the highest-paid player in Arsenal’s history but has now been omitted from both the Premier League and Europa League squads.
Özil has not played a single minute for Arsenal since 7 March having initially been a mainstay of the team following Mikel Arteta’s appointment last year. The German World Cup winner has been available this season until now but Premier League clubs had to name a 25-man squad after the closure of both the international and domestic transfer windows.
Alongside the Greece defender Sokratis Papastathopoulos – also left out of both squads – Özil will only be able to represent Arsenal Under-23s until 2021 at the earliest as his contract at the Emirates Stadium expires next summer.