Former Arsenal defender Per Mertesacker has suggested Mesut Ozil's focus has shifted away from football with the midfielder currently frozen out of Mikel Arteta's first-team squad.
The 31-year-old initially seemed to be part of Arteta's plans when he was appointed last December but he has not played since March after falling firmly out of favour.
Despite being the highest paid player at the club with earnings of £350,000-per-week, Ozil has not featured this season and has also been left out of Arsenal's Europa League squad.
The midfielder also looks set to miss out on Arteta's final 25-man Premier League squad, meaning he faces the prospect of no competitive football until at least January.
Mertesacker, who is now the Arsenal's academy manager, also played with Ozil at Werder Bremen and for the German national side sighted's Ozil's new family life as one of the reasons his focus has shifted.
Ozil married his wife Emine in July 2019 and she gave birth to daughter Eda, the couple's first child, in March this year.
'A lot has changed away from the pitch,' Mertesacker told the Klick and Rush podcast.
'He got married, has a family... perhaps his focus has changed. Nevertheless, he is still happy and happy to play football.
'He's the only player I've played with for three teams - Bremen, Arsenal and also Germany. So, I'm very sorry that he's currently in a situation where he's not really used.'
The 2015-2016 season was by far Ozil's best Premier League campaign for the Gunners with the midfielder scoring six goals and contributing 19 assists as the club finished second.
Arsenal legends appear to be split on Ozil's future at the Emirates. Kevin Campbell does not believe he will play for the club again, while Arsene Wenger thinks there is still a chance he could revive his Arsenal career.
Campbell told GentingBet: 'Mesut Ozil is yesterday's news at the club.
'There is no chance that he will feature for Arsenal again this season, or ever again.
'There have been certain things that have gone on, instances where he has gone against the club, so I don't see where there is any room for him to come back.'
Wenger explained that to get the best out of Ozil he needs to have defensive players alongside him. 'He wasn't exactly the one with the greatest discipline on the pitch,' he told Der Spiegel.
'And playing the game without the ball wasn't exactly his forte. But you can deal with that if you put some more defensively minded players by his side.'
dawbrstyz
500
Wenger words are right. So do other managers think as well. Including Arteta. I'm with Arteta. Some fans might notice it too... that Ozil is nothing without ball or in defensive. Most fans are blaming on poor Arsenal defense as well not using Ozil. But, they need to understand they cannot get those both at the same time with current squad. If u play Ozil, the other 10 players will have to try much harder for defense, bcuz Ozil is not willing to play defensive, press, chasing or winning the ball. He just waits for the ball in good position and distribute creatively to another player on good position. Thats all he did (especially in Arsenal, as ozil lost his pace after Real Madrid times). Ozil needs superb defensive players as well as great finisher. This can be happen if we have Veira or Giberto, Henry or Bergkamp, some kind of players who can manmark or tackle well, or single handedly dribble well or volley well. But our current squad do not have such perfect players. Arteta's current tactic is highly pressing on whole pitch, defensive (as defense line up is weak, you may notice almost whole team goes quickly down to defend if they lose the ball), counter attack quickly and mixed passing including long balls, needs lots of strength, stamina, pace and the will to win the ball, rather than perfect skills. if Ozil is not lazy to win the ball and discipline, he will be fit in the squad. We dont need to say 'manager out' for not using Ozil. We just need to say 'try harder Ozil, (u r already smart)'.
clixa
473
oh no now they are bringing in his marriage that's crossing the line 💯