Ozil speaks out after snub
LONDON — Mesut Ozil has broken his silence on his exile from the Arsenal squad after being left out of their 25-man Premier League squad, admitting he is “deeply disappointed” by Mikel Arteta’s decision and hit out at the club’s lack of “loyalty”.
The German midfielder has not featured for the Gunners since before the Premier League restarted from the coronavirus lockdown, but has fallen far down the pecking order under Arteta — with his exclusion from his domestic squad the latest blow.
The £350 000-a-week star has now spoken out on social media to deliver a passionate message to Arsenal fans, revealing how he is “saddened” to be left out of the team and that his “allegiance” to the club is not being reciprocated.
“This is a difficult message to write to Arsenal fans that I’ve played for over the past few years,” he wrote.
“I’m really deeply disappointed by the fact that I have not been registered for the Premier League season for the time being.
“Upon signing my new contract in 2018, I pledged my loyalty and allegiance to the club that I love, Arsenal, and it saddens me that this has not been reciprocated. As I have just found out, loyalty is hard to come by nowadays.
“I have always tried to remain positive from week to week that there’s maybe a chance to get back in the squad soon again. That’s why I kept silent so far.”
The 32-year-old said he was pleased with his progress under Arteta when he arrived last year before being left surprised after the Spaniard gradually started to leave him out of the first-team picture.
He said his relationship with the supporters remained strong and would continue to fight for the club he “loves” — even though he is unlikely to play any competitive football until at least January, with his contract up next summer.
“Before the coronavirus break, I was really happy with the development under our new coach Mikel Arteta. We have been on a positive way and I would say my performances were on a really good level,” he continued.
“But then things changed, again, and I was not longer allowed to play football for Arsenal. What else can I say? London still feels like home, I still have many good friends in this team, and I still feel a strong connection with the fans of this club.
“No matter what, I will keep fighting for my chance and not let my eighth season at Arsenal end like this. I can promise you that this hard decision won’t change anything in my mindset — I will continue to train as best as I can and wherever possible use my voice against inhumanity and for justice.”
Sportsmail reported last week that Arsenal were to re-open talks with Ozil ahead of the January transfer window over ending his £350 000-a-week contract early.
The Gunners, it is understood, have approached Ozil about reaching a settlement agreement for the final nine months of his contract, but the attempts proved unsuccessful.
He is said to want virtually all the remaining £13 million on his deal.
Ozil, who has played 254 times for the Gunners across his sevenyear spell and won four FA Cup trophies, was also left out of Arteta’s Europa League squad — leaving him without any platform to impress. He has faced increasing uncertainty at the club this year, with fans and pundits claiming the former Real Madrid playmaker’s time in north London was coming to an end.
He came under fire during lockdown for refusing to take a pay-cut on his eye-watering salary, before offering to pay the wages of club mascot Gunnersaurus — a gesture which club icon Paul Merson said made Arsenal look “stupid”.