- Arsenal star Mesut Ozil is set to be omitted from Mikel Arteta’s Europa League squad in a decision which suggests his days in north London are numbered.
Indeed, Ozil will be left out of the 25-man squad when it is announced later on Thursday, per reports.
The former Real Madrid star has been frozen out of Arteta’s plans since the beginning of the 2020/21 season and is yet to earn selection to a matchday squad this term.
The Spaniard looked to have revived the mercurial playmaker’s stuttering career prior to the coronavirus enforced hiatus, but Ozil has faded onto the periphery since project restart.
The 31-year-old provided the assist for Alexandre Lacazette’s winner against West Ham United in the final fixture before football went behind closed doors, taking his tally to 77 in 254 appearances for the Gunners.
- Man United search for COVID ‘loophole’ so Cavani can avoid quarantine and make instant impact
- Heroic reception for Kipchoge despite London slip on Course-Isuzu
- Joshua Cheptegei breaks Kenenisa Bekele’s 15-year-old 10,000M World Record
- Arsenal follow Thomas Partey transfer up with double deal
However, in much the same way Pep Guardiola often ruthlessly discards of players after they pass the peak of their careers – Gael Clichy, Bacary Sagna and Aleksandar Kolarov all fell victim to this at Man City – Arteta appears to be carving the future of the club around a new, younger generation of talent.
With a talented bunch of exciting academy players, including Bukayo Saka, Eddie Nketiah, Joe Willock and Ainsley Maitland-Niles, coming through the ranks at Arsenal there is seemingly no room for the veteran playmaker.
Given the Europa League omission, Ozil’s offer to pay the wages of Jerry Quy, the man donning the famous Gunnersaurus mascot costume, may represent his final meaningful contribution to the club.
We may have already seen the last of an aesthetically delightful, genius playmaker in England’s top flight.
