Unai Emery has again decided not to include Mesut Ozil for Arsenal's Europa League clash against Standard Liege. The midfielder was not even picked as a substitute for the Gunners' 1-1 draw with Manchester United on Monday's match at Old Trafford.
Ozil has been dangling from Emery's pecking order since the Spanish gaffer's arrival last year despite being the highest-paid player at the Emirates Stadium. The 30-year-old's omission continued on Thursday evening as he was dropped from the squad for their clash against the Belgian club.
The Metro reports that Ozil did his usual training along with his teammates on Wednesday and is not suffering from any form of injury. However, he failed to stand out as one of Emery's selections.
The German star has had issues with illness and injury this season, appearing in only two matches for Arsenal's 2019-20 campaign. Missing out on Monday's clash against the Red Devils and last night's 4-0 victory against Standard Liege has triggered rumors implying that the Gunners are ready to offload Ozil.
After Thursday's victory over the Belgian side, the Arsenal boss made it clear in no uncertain terms that Ozil is not working at his desired level. If he wants to move up in the pecking order, Emery said that he must work harder to earn a place in his matchday squad.
Questioned about why he excluded Ozil, Emery said that his decision is purely based on what he believes is best for each match, and his goal is to choose the best players he finds fitting in his matchday squad.
"When I decided he [Ozil] shouldn't be in the squad it's because I think other players deserved it more," Emery said.
Arsenal have been favoring their young players this season, with Gabriel Martinelli, Reiss Nelson, Ainsley Maitland-Niles, Bukayo Saka, and Joe Willock all enjoying the first-team action. This has led people into speculating that Ozil could be sent out on loan in the January transfer window with the club ready to subsidize his £350,000 weekly pay.
30-year-old Ozil has been one of the players rumored to leave the Gunners. Previously, he was linked with American football club DC United, but what's reportedly preventing the deal from transpiring is his high wages, which no club is willing to match.
Now it remains to be seen if Ozil works hard enough for his name to be included in Emery's matchday squad against Bournemouth on Sunday afternoon.
