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The German was not named to Gunners’ Premier League squad this week, but the English international insists he fully backs his teammate.
Mesut Ozil still has the full backing of Arsenal players despite the playmaker missing the Gunners’ 25-man Premier League squad, according to Ainsley Maitland-Niles.
Ozil, who was not included in Arsenal’s Europa League squad, has also been unable to secure a place in Mikel Arteta’s team for the top flight campaign.
The 32-year-old has not appeared at Arsenal since March 7, despite having played in every game between Arteta’s appointment in December and beyond.
Former Real Madrid player Ozil, who did not agree to receive a pay cut amid the coronavirus pandemic, believes that his performance has improved, a view that is supported by the fact that he created more chances per 90 minutes than any other player in the Arsenal in the past term.
Arteta said Wednesday that Ozil did not do enough to force his entry, despite having every opportunity to impress.
Meanwhile, England international Maitland-Niles insisted that Ozil still has the full support of his teammates despite the current situation, with the playmaker’s contract terminated at the end of the season.
“The club is behind Mesut, we are a team, that will always be the case until Mesut decides to make his decision and what he wants to do,” Maitland-Niles told a press conference ahead of Thursday’s clash with Rapid Vienna.
“Ultimately, we’re focused on the game for now. Then when we get back to training camp, we can talk about whether he wants to pass as a team.”
“We are focused on the game from now on. And when we finish the game and all three points are secured, then we can focus on going back to training camp and resolving the situation as a team.”
# M1Ö #YaGunnersYa pic.twitter.com/hF7abGklOT
– Mesut Özil (@ MesutOzil1088) October 21, 2020
On the decision to omit Ozil, Maitland-Niles added: “That is something you will have to ask the club. We as players have not given it much thought. We have literally been on the go all day. We had our training session. and we took our flight here so we haven’t had a lot of time to sit down and process anything as a team. “
Maitland-Niles was the subject of intense transfer speculation throughout the summer, with the Wolves bidding more than £ 20 million ($ 26 million) for the Arsenal academy proceeds, but says Arteta was the key figure for that he decided to stay.
“There was a lot of speculation, but I chose to stay at the club that I love,” he said. “I am happy with my decision and I am sure that the coach is happy that I too will stay.
“It was about the coach having faith in me and letting me know what was happening and the situation. He did that and everything was fine in the end. “
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