After being snubbed from the Europa League squad, Arsenal decided not to include Mesut Ozil from their Premier League squad as well.
Ozil has had issues in getting back into the side since last playing for the club in March, and even the manager, Mikel Arteta, has admitted that it'd be difficult for him in near future. Ozil's current £350,000-a-week deal with Arsenal expires next year and despite staying put in the recently concluded transfer window, he is rightly expected to depart next year.
Ozil, who arrived from Real Madrid in 2013, has been a key player for the Gunners, but things haven't panned out well. As per the Premier League, Arsenal were to send their 25-man list which must include a maximum of 17 non-homegrown players over the age of 21. As a result of this, Ozil alongside Sokratis Papastathopoulos has been left out of the team.
Reacting to the news, Ozil took to social media to express his discontent and said that he is really disappointed after being left out from the team.
"This is a difficult message to write to the Arsenal fans that I've played for over the past few years," Ozil said 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.
"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 not 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."
Arsenal's Premier League squad: Cedric Soares, Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, Hector Bellerin*, Willian, Dani Ceballos, Calum Chambers*, Gabriel, Mohamed Elneny, Rob Holding*, Sead Kolasinac, Alexandre Lacazette, Bernd Leno, Matt Macey*, Ainsley Maitland-Niles*, Pablo Mari, David Luiz, Shkodran Mustafi, Thomas Partey, Nicolas Pepe, Alex Runarsson, Kieran Tierney, Granit Xhaka
*Homegrown
Fans have been left reeling with the decision and this is how they are reacting:
A midfield with a base of Xhaka and Partey and Ozil in front is at worst a top 3 midfield in the league and we’ve turned it down for political reasons. Hope all the idiots who support that enjoy Beyblade and Willian instead
— Ever, Greatest (@goatzil10) October 20, 2020
Even if Ozil has declined as a player, he's more than good enough to make squads. I believe him being left out is mainly to do with rejecting the pay-cut (which he was justified in doing) above everything else. I'm of the view Arsenal were morally wrong to do what we did.
— LTArsenal™ (@ltarsenal) October 21, 2020
“No player is bigger than the club”
— EHAB (@CANDYMANCHENK) October 20, 2020
Yeah but our beloved club has acted like they’re smaller than Ozil
Disappointed
Ozil: "Before the Coronavirus break I was really happy with the development under our new coach Mikel Arteta... but then things changed, again, and I WAS NO LONGER ALLOWED TO PLAY FOOTBALL FOR ARSENAL ."
— 🐺 (@FedeWolverde) October 21, 2020
This hurts, it really does 😫
Stay strong, King. pic.twitter.com/EcjxplkKnG
Cech made a PL squad & Ozil didn’t LOOOOOOOL
— Mr. Consistent (@zakg__) October 20, 2020
Arsenal has seriously become one of the most ungrateful clubs. Ozil is literally the greatest Arsenal player of the Emirates Era & the biggest figure at the club currently, he would've been a lot more successful and respected if only he had dedicated himself to some other club.
— Yash (@BlancoYash) October 21, 2020
The club have treated you disgracefully over the past couple years.
— William (fan account) (@OzilThings) October 21, 2020
No support for knife attack. No support for DFB racism. Distanced themselves from comments about a genocide in China. Leaked wage cut refusal. Now they have dropped you for no reason.
😔 pic.twitter.com/J6JHGvNuNb
I have so much respect for Ozil he is using his platform to speak about the issues going on because we need change to happen. They way arsenal have treated him is shocking he deserves better and should’ve been backed pic.twitter.com/MrH60mj8M5
— Thiagooo (@tashaaa2000) October 21, 2020
It’s a massive waste of resource not to have Mesut Özil available to Mikel Arteta. Whether it’s financial, political or down to performances, it just feels like a massive shame and waste for all involved. There’s games where he can make a difference.
— AFCAMDEN (@AFCAMDEN) October 21, 2020
