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Mesut Ozil has accused Arsenal of lack of loyalty after being left out of his Premier League side, but vowed to continue to “fight” for his chance.
Ozil, the highest paid player in Arsenal history, appears to have played his last game for the club after he was not included in their Premier League squad for the 2020/21 season.
In a statement, the 32-year-old said he was “saddened” by the decision, another blow after he was left out of his Europa League plans last week.
Ozil’s £ 350,000 a week contract expires at the end of the season, his eighth at the club, but he promised he would “not let my eighth season at Arsenal end like this.”
“This is a difficult message to write to the Arsenal fans that I have played with in recent years,” Ozil said on Instagram.
“I am really deeply disappointed that I have not signed up for the Premier League season just yet.
By signing my new contract in 2018, I pledged loyalty and fidelity to the club I love, Arsenal, and I am saddened that this was not reciprocated.
“By signing my new contract in 2018, I pledged loyalty and fidelity to the club I love, Arsenal, and I am saddened that this was not reciprocated.
“As I just found out, loyalty is hard to come by these days. I’ve always tried to stay positive from week to week that there might be a chance to return to the team soon. That is why I have been silent until now.”
The German World Cup winner played in every Premier League match with Mikel Arteta until last season he was halted due to the coronavirus pandemic, and has not appeared since.
He added: “Before the coronavirus break, I was very happy with the development with our new coach Mikel Arteta, we have been on a positive path and I would say that my performances have been at a really good level.
“But then things changed, again, and I was no longer allowed to play football for Arsenal. What more can I say? London still feels like home, I still have a lot of good friends on this team, and I still feel a strong connection with the fans of this club.
“Whatever happens, I will continue to fight for my chance and I will not let my eighth season at Arsenal end like this. I can promise you that this difficult decision will not change my mind at all. I will continue to train to the best of my ability.” I can and whenever possible use my voice against inhumanity and for justice. “
Wenger: the Ozil-Arsenal showdown isn’t just about sport
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Arsene Wenger, who signed Ozil in 2013 for a club record of £ 42 million, has defended the player in his new autobiography. My life in red and white.
Talking to Sky Sports NewsThe former Arsenal manager said: “Mesut Ozil is an exceptional soccer player. What is happening right now between him and the club seems to be more contentious. It is not based only on sport.”
“Why is he not playing right now? I don’t know. When you are a soccer player you have to respect your coach’s decision and fight to regain confidence and fight to get back to the team. He can fight, contrary to what that people think. He has enough quality to return to the team, that’s up to him now. “
When asked why Ozil is not in Arteta’s plans, Wenger said: “I don’t know.
“I think he can play in the Premier League. You practice every day and make sure that if it doesn’t work out you can go play elsewhere.”
Analysis: Ozil is a wasted talent
Former Arsenal forward and Sky Sports expert Alan Smith:
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“It is sad, there is no doubt because it is a wasted talent and it has been for the last two years. It has not reached the levels that it had, four or five years ago. I do not remember a time in football when someone with so much money has been ostracized in this way and has no chance to play for the first team.
“But Mikel Arteta has made his choice and obviously knows things that we do not. He has looked at the player day after day. It could be due to his attitude during the confinement when he refused to accept a salary cut, and did not do it. He does not participate in the Zoom team meetings, so perhaps Arteta feels like he’s not a team player.
“The irony is that Arsenal need such a player right now, someone from Ozil’s creative force. Someone who can unlock defenses as they have faced a couple of those challenges recently against West Ham and Sheffield United and it was difficult for them.
“I’m sure Arteta would have liked to have had the Ozil available from four or five years ago. I’d say Arteta wields quite a bit of power there, and obviously his title changed, so I’m not sure it’s a decision he has made. taken from the hands.
“With the reduction of powers there with Raúl Sanllehi going, Arteta, along with football director Edu, has a lot of shots. From Ozil’s point of view, this period in which he stood firm on his contract and was refused to tolerate a move, at the end of his career he will reflect on the loss of three or four years.
“You can really only appreciate that at the end of your career, so from a personal point of view, I really should have tried to find a career elsewhere. You have to wait until January now, and with that then so close to next summer, I doubt you would agree to a move.
“Arteta has made her decision very clear and no one will ask her at upcoming press conferences ‘why isn’t Ozil involved?’ She has drawn a line in the sand and will hope to move on.”
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