Mesut Ozil has vowed to keep fighting in an attempt to salvage his Arsenal career after he was left out of the club’s official 25-man Premier League squad by Mikel Arteta.
The club’s highest paid player featured prominently in the early weeks of his former teammate’s managerial reign, but hasn’t played for the club since March, without Arsenal citing an official reason for his continued omission.
Reacting to his latest snub, Ozil wrote a lengthy statement on Instagram which read: ‘This is a difficult message to write to the Arsenal fans that I’ve played for over the past few years.
‘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 8th 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.’
More to follow…
