MIKEL ARTETA revealed Mesut Ozil DOES have a future at Arsenal… if he is willing to adapt.
The German playmaker, 31, has not featured for the Gunners since the season restarted last month.
He is still earning £350,000 per week at the Emirates, £150,000 more than anybody else at the club.
The Arsenal boss went with a 3-4-3 for the 4-0 win over Norwich on Wednesday – with no obvious place for a No10 as Ozil prefers.
But despite being frozen out and seemingly not part of the plans, Ozil could still have a part to play for Arteta.
He reckons the ex-Real Madrid man may force his way back into the team with the right attitude.
The Gunners chief said: “I think players can adapt to different systems and we can adapt systems for different players.
“Sometimes it’s not just about what we want to play or how we want to play.
“Sometimes we have to try to fit the players we have available in the right moments in the right positions to perform and be comfortable on the pitch to do what we require them to do.
“There’s always a place for a player of his [Ozil’s] quality.”
Despite started 17 of the previous 18 Premier League games prior to the season being suspended dating back to November 2, Ozil did not make the matchday squad against Manchester City on June 17.
Three days later he was an unused sub against Brighton and then again against Southampton before missing the wins over Sheffield United, officially due to a back injury, and Norwich.
It means he is stuck on 23 appearances across all competitions this season, with just one goal and three assists to show for it.
But Arteta is unconvinced Ozil is hurting enough just yet to justify bringing the World Cup winner back into the side.
The Spaniard said earlier this week: “I believe Mesut is not very happy because he’s not playing but I’m expecting anyone who is not involved to feel hurt and disappointed.
“My job is to get the maximum out of every player and if they are willing then everyone is welcome.
“I always hope all the players want to give their best because I want to have the ability to be able to pick them to help the squad as much as possible.”
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By: Joshua Jones
Title: Mesut Ozil in Arsenal stay boost as Mikel Arteta insists he DOES have future at club… but only if he can adapt
Sourced From: www.thesun.co.uk/sport/football/12025582/mesut-ozil-arsenal-stay-mikel-arteta-future/
Published Date: Fri, 03 Jul 2020 16:41:06 +0000
