Arsenal will not be deploying Mesut Ozil back on the pitch anytime soon, basing on the club's official squad submission to the Europa League group stages. The 25-man list excludes Ozil and Sokratis, indicating that they have been dropped from the squad and will not see action in all competitions this season.
Mikel Arteta leaving out the German playmaker did not come as a surprise. The Gunners boss has yet to give Ozil playing time since football matches were played again in June. The last time that the 31-year-old figured in an Arsenal game was in March and when the season got suspended, Ozil disappeared from the scene.
Goal noted in a report that Arteta's decision to cut Ozil from the squad is intriguing. That's because the former Real Madrid man is the club's highest-paid player. He takes home pay of £350,000 per week and he stands to collect that money without breaking a sweat, possibly until his stay at the Emirates expires next summer.
In a recent interview, Arteta tried to make sense of why he had elected not to play Ozil in Arsenal games. The manager explained that in putting together the squad for scheduled matches, the chief consideration is the player's readiness, and if he is in the best condition, he will be picked.
"It's very difficult every week not just for Mesut but for some other players as well to make the squad. Every week we try to pick the right players," the Spanish coach was reported as saying.
He added that the team continues to evolve and it is happening with or without the outcast Arsenal man.
For his part, Ozil has been largely silent on his situation at the Emirates. But the German had made clear he is in good form and will continue to train with the Arsenal squad. Ozil said he will play when given the chance to do so on the pitch.
The star also made the news this week by expressing his sentiments over the decision by Arsenal to discontinue the use of Gunnersaurus, the mascot that has been in use for the past 27 years. The move, according to Sky Sports, will lead to Jerry Quy, the man inside the popular mascot, losing his job.
Ozil said losing Gunnersaurus would be unfortunate and to continue with the character, he offered to pay Quy's salary.
"I'm offering to reimburse Arsenal with the full salary of our big green guy ... so Jerry can continue his job that he loves so much," the midfielder was reported as saying.
Ozil committed that he will continue with the payment through the end of his contract with Arsenal.
