Mesut Ozil’s agent Erkut Sogut has revealed the club insisted his client would be a part of their various squads this season.
The German is currently sitting on the sidelines at the Emirates, having been left out of the club’s squads for the Premier League and Europa League.
It’s a situation that’s caused plenty of confusion, and indeed outrage in some quarters, with many questioning why the club decided to omit their highest earner as opposed to simply selling him or moving him on.
Those questions have only intensified as Arteta have struggled to find their best form, lacking the kind of creative spark that the German could bring.
Having him as part of the squad would certainly be more of a help than a hindrance, and his agent says he was told they were planning on using him.
“It is not an easy situation,” he told Tuttomercatoweb.
“He loves the club and the fans deeply and is deeply sorry that he has not been given a chance, honestly, this season.
“Mesut was the player who reached 50 Premier League games with assists, faster than anyone else, in 141 appearances and Arsenal would need exactly this kind of creativity.
“They say he was sidelined for ‘football reasons’, but that’s not something I can comment on.
“From a personal perspective, I say it’s a waste considering his talent and creativity.
“I talked to Arsenal a few days before the summer transfer campaign and I told them about Mesut’s feelings, his desire to stay and how much he loved the club.
“They never told me he wouldn’t be on the list.”
Given his contract expires next summer, it is widely felt that Ozil has effectively played his last game for the club.
He will be free to negotiate a free transfer away from Arsenal next summer come January, although he would, of course, have to wait six months first.
That would be less than ideal given he is already on the sidelines now and would have spent the best part of a year not playing.
Thus a deal in January would be ideal for all parties, and his agent says there numerous clubs interested in making it happen.
“Even one day is a long time in football, you never know … Of course, there are many clubs interested in catching him,” he added.
“This has never changed, but his willingness to honour his contract and play hasn’t changed either. He’s a man of his word, loyal, and loyalty is hard to find in these times. “
“However, I repeat: he is totally concentrating on his training with the club and at home, on charity and his business off the pitch.
“He is not thinking of other clubs except to the one with which he is now under contract.”
