In the aftermath of Mesut Ozil coming out to say he does not feel his loyalty to Arsenal Football Club has been reciprocated, Mikel Arteta has also said he is completely comfortable with his decision to leave Mesut Ozil out of Arsenal’s Premier League and Europa League squads for this season.
However, the Arsenal boss admitted feeling a sense of failure at not getting the best from the midfielder.
Ozil is currently the highest-paid player in Arsenal’s history, and it appears he might have played his last game for the club after he was also left out of their Premier League squad for the 2020/21 season.
In a statement, Mesut Ozil said he was “saddened” by the decision – another blow after he was left out of their Europa League plans last week.
Ozil’s contract, however, expires at the end of the campaign, 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’ve played for over the past few years,” Ozil says on Instagram.
“I’m really deeply disappointed by the fact that I have not been registered for the Premier League season for the time being. Upon signing my new contract in 2018, I pledged my loyalty and allegiance to the club that I love, Arsenal, and it saddens me that this has not been reciprocated.
“As I have just found out, loyalty is hard to come by nowadays. I’ve always tried to remain positive from week to week that there’s maybe a chance to get back in the squad soon again. That’s why I kept silent so far.”
The German World Cup winner played in every Premier League game under Mikel Arteta until last season was halted due to the coronavirus pandemic – and has not featured since.
He adds: “Before the coronavirus break I was really happy with the development under our new coach Mikel Arteta – we’ve been on a positive way and I would say my performances were on a really good level.
“But then things changed, again, and I was no longer allowed to play football for Arsenal. What else can I say? London still feels like home, I still have many good friends in this team, and I still feel a strong connection with the fans of this club.
“No matter what, I will keep fighting for my chance and not let my eighth season at Arsenal end like this. I can promise you that this hard decision won’t change anything in my mindset – I will continue to train as best as I can and wherever possible use my voice against inhumanity and for justice.”
Arteta admitted Ozil’s statement did not catch him off guard, adding: “Everybody is free to express their feelings.”
Arteta also said the decision was purely for footballing reasons: “It was just a football decision and my conscience is very calm because I have been really fair with him.
“My level of communication with him has been high, we know what to expect with each other. He has had the opportunities like everybody else. I’m sad that I had to leave three players out of this list but I tried to look everybody in the eye and be comfortable with it.
“With Mesut, I have this feeling because I have been very straight forward since I arrived at this club. It’s nothing related to [Ozil’s] behaviour. It’s my decision.”
Arteta feels he got close to seeing the best version of Ozil but says he takes full responsibility for being unable to improve the German’s performances.
“My job is to get the best out of every player to contribute to the team performance,” Arteta says.
“At the moment I feel that I have failed because I want the best possible Mesut for the team. In some moments I was able to get close to that but at the moment I haven’t been able to do it.
“This is the reality and we have to face it. The best way is to talk things through face-to-face. I take full responsibility, I have to be the one getting the best out of the players.“
Poor Mesut Ozil. Big psychological blow. I wish him well.