Mesut Ozil made his feelings clear after Arsenal’s latest Premier League defeat. The German, who has been frozen out in north London, took to Twitter to post a broken heart and a crying face emoji.
Ozil is Arsenal’s best-paid and longest-serving player but has not kicked a ball for the Gunners all season. Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta made the bold decision to leave the World Cup winning-midfielder out of his Premier League and Europa League squads. Now it seems his decision is coming back to haunt him.
Arsenal have been devoid of creativity in recent months and are floundering down in 15th in the Premier League. Ozil is clearly devastated and Arteta will have a big decision to make next month, when he is able to bring him in from the cold.
Graeme Souness discussed the option on Sky Sports following Arsenal’s defeat by Everton and advised Arteta against doing so.
“Do they bring him back? It takes some real man-management to come back. This is a guy who’s involved in his very first job in management,” said Souness.
Mikel Arteta’s issue with Mesut Ozil could cause the Arsenal boss to lose face, according to Souness.
“This would be a difficult job for an experienced manager. He’s got it all on to try and manage that and come out of it with his face.
“I’m not sure. The player coming back on his terms is never good. I think it diminishes his [Arteta’s] credibility with some of the players in the dressing room.
“They could use that against him. I think what’s more important is that they get some of the men, if he’s got any men – and I’m saying men in football terms who stand up and take responsibility, not be pointing fingers – looking at themselves first and foremost.
“I’m looking at that group and I’m not sure if there’s too many of them.”
