Mesut Ozil has released a statement on social media following his omission from Arsenal’s Premier League squad.
In a statement posted on Twitter, Mesut Ozil said “This is a difficult message to write to Arsenal fans that I’ve played for over the past few years. 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’ve always tried to remain positive from week to week that there’s maybe a chance to get back in the squad soon again. That is why I kept silent so far. Before the coronavirus break, I was really happy with the development under our new coach, Mikel Arteta. We’ve been on a positive way and I would say my performances were on a really good level. But then things changed, again, and I was no 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 humanity and for justice.”
Former Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger believes the situation between Ozil and the club was deeper than just sport.
Arsene Wenger said “I don’t know what’s happening on a daily basis. I just say one thing, the creative players are the players who are perfectionists and they are a bit more sensitive sometimes and they need to be encouraged. Because if I want to play a risky pass I need to be confident and creative players they create this pass that makes the team dangerous. Mesut Ozil is an exceptional football player. What’s happening at the moment between him and the club looks to be more confrontational, it’s not [only] based on sport, I’m convinced. This guy has won things. He’s a world champion, he’s an exceptional football player. Why is he not at the moment playing? I don’t know. When you’re a football player you have to respect the decision of your manager and fight to get your confidence and get back into the team again. He can fight, contrary to what people think, he can fight. And he’s an exceptional football player, he has enough quality to get back into the team. So it’s down to him to get his confidence back.”
The German midfielder, who has not played for the club since March, was left out of the Gunners’ 25-man squad after the closure of both the international and domestic transfer windows. Ozil’s contract at the Emirates expires at the end of the season, but it is understood that Arsenal were ready to let the midfielder leave in the summer to get his £350,000-a-week wages off the books. Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta has remained tight lipped on Ozil’s absences from match day squads, but the 32-year-old has now broken his silence on the situation.
