The latest update from Mikel Arteta regarding Mesut Ozil suggested that the German playmaker, not seen on the pitch since the resumption of football games in June, will remain out of the squad. Ozil, however, defied his coach by posting on social media that he is ready for active duty.
Arteta has made clear recently that Ozil's absence was due to an injury and indicated later on that the player's non-deployment lately was made on tactical considerations. The Arsenal boss said he expects no changes in the situation in the remaining matches to come, somehow dropping hints that Arsenal's most expensive player will not see action in the season.
However, The Sun reported that Ozil was spotted training with the Gunners as the team prepares for the clash with Liverpool on Wednesday.
The Germany international tweeted: "I am ready."
The conflicting statements from the two sides only heightened the perception that all is not well with Arteta and Ozil, and that the latter is his way out this summer. Per the same report, the North London club would be happy to release the 31-year-old, whose stay at the Emirates will end in 2021.
The Gunners are willing to sell Ozil, but the player's contract calls for a weekly salary payment of £350,000, numbers that immediately turn prospective buyers away.
Ozil has already said he is inclined to see through the end of his deal with Arsenal whether Arteta still plans to give him playing time or not. That would mean the former Real Madrid star will continue to collect his huge paycheck even without playing minutes on the pitch.
The Sun said Ozil is willing to sit out the remaining months of his Arsenal contract and bring his game elsewhere next summer. The World Cup is seen to head next to Turkey or sign with an MLS club in the United States.
Arsenal legend Martin Keown weighed in on the situation and called on his old club to break the stalemate. Keown said it's clear that Ozil no longer has a future at the Emirates, and the club board has to give the player his ticket out.
"I think really this summer now they may see the player being paid off, because I think now it's about protecting the next generation," Metro reported the Gunners hero as saying.
His suggestion is not an ideal ending as Keown conceded that Arsenal will lose a magnificent player in Ozil. However, Arteta appeared convinced that the German has become more of a liability than an asset, so the prudent thing to do is to offload the problem player, Keown explained.
Keown pointed out that Arteta failed to see efforts on Ozil's part to prove his worth, so the two working together is no longer possible.
