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Mikel Arteta has opened up in his “difficult” talk with Mesut Ozil after firing him from Arsenal’s Europa League team.
The Gunners were only able to name 25 players to represent them in Europe this season, and Arteta left Ozil and Soktratis Papstathopoulos out.
Perhaps the last decision was to be expected, but the decision to leave out Arsenal’s highest paid player was controversial.
Opening his talk with Ozil and Soktratis, Arteta revealed: “I spoke with them face to face before releasing the team and explained to them the reason for the numbers we had.
“It was really difficult to tell them that, but these are the restrictions and the rules.
(Image: Action Images via Reuters)
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“We have to respect that decision and try to train in the best possible way to help the team at that time and see what happens in December.”
Ozil hasn’t kicked a ball for Arsenal so far this season and there are suggestions that Arteta could cut him out of his Premier League squad, who will present a roster for next week.
The German is eager to see his final year at Arsenal before tackling his future again.
Meanwhile, former Gunners forward Kevin Campbell has put the final nail in the coffin, telling Ozil it’s old news at the club.
(Image: Arsenal FC via Getty Images)
“There is no chance that he will play for Arsenal again this season, or ever again,” Campbell said.
“There have been certain things that have happened, cases where he has gone against the club, so I don’t see where there is room for him to come back.”
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