Manchester City midfielder Ilkay Gündogan has offered his condolences to Mesut Ozil after he was left out of Arsenal’s Premier League squad.
The German midfielder was omitted from the Gunners 25-man league squad last week after also being left out of the group for the Europa League.
It means Arsenal’s highest earner has been left watching from the sidelines. The likelihood is that he has played his last game at the Emirates, with Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta having made it clear he is not in his plans.
The decision has been met with shock from all corners, with most nonplussed as to how Arsenal can afford to have a player of his calibre, on such big wages, simply watching from the sidelines.
One man who knows Ozil well is Manchester City’s Gündogan, but he took a more reasoned approach when questioned about the situation.
“As an outsider it’s a difficult question, I don’t want to talk about him and these things,” the Manchester City midfielder told RTL.
“I can imagine it is not an easy time for him and I think that he always tries to make best out of the situation, but it is course a pity for him, Arsenal and German football.
“The situation has happened how it happened, and I think all parties do not really deserve it, but a string of certain circumstances led to this being the case. I also get that we have to make an evaluation.
“What I wish, of course, is him to be in good health and have the necessary happiness that a person needs in such a phase.
“Hopefully then soon he can shine again with his performances on the field. I can imagine how disappointing this situation is because I have experienced it myself.
“I think it is not an easy experience, especially for him, but I think he is still in focus and has to continue to be busy and be strengthened. I wish him that.”
