Mikel Arteta insists that it is ‘difficult’ for Mesut Ozil to be picked for Arsenal at the moment as he is picking the players in the ‘best condition’.
The Arsenal manager left Ozil out of the squad that beat Leicester City 2-0 in the Carabao Cup and is yet to select him for any of their Premier League fixtures this season.
Ozil is the club’s highest-paid player and has insisted he will not be leaving Arsenal this summer, despite being continually snubbed by Arteta.
Arteta has always played down his continued absence and simply claims that other players are in front of Ozil in the pecking order.
‘The players that we are changing that we are using. It is very difficult for Mesut and some of them to make the squad,’ said Arteta.
‘It’s difficult for others that weren’t involved in the Premier League.
‘I understand [the questions] but I have to do my job as straight as possible. I select the players in the best condition.’
An own foal from Christian Fuchs and a late poachers effort from Eddie Nketiah did enough to secure the win for the Gunners, who could face Liverpool in the next round.
‘I’m really happy with the performance, especially the attitude,’ added Arteta. ‘The senior players really took the lead.
On Nelson, who is linked with a loan move, he said: ‘He played really well. We don’t discuss the things that are happening [with regards to his future].’
He added on Torreira: ‘I’m not making decisions on players who might leave or stay. It’s the players in the best condition.’
