Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta says he gave midfielder Mesut Ozil every chance to earn a place in the Gunners’ 25-man Premier League squad, but it feels as though he has failed to get the best out of the German.
Ozil criticized Arsenal for showing him a lack of loyalty after being left out of the squad, but even though he is also out of the Europa League squad, he is determined to prove the boss wrong and return to the first team.
〽️⚽️ #M1Ö #YaGunnersYa pic.twitter.com/hF7abGklOT
— Mesut Özil (@MesutOzil1088) October 21, 2020
Arteta admitted (via the club’s official website) that Ozil has every right to express his frustration, although he does not feel guilty about how things have gone.
“What can I say for myself? It’s just a football decision that I have a very clear conscience about because I was very fair with him,” he said. “My communication level with him has been really high, we know what to expect from each other.
“While I believe he can contribute to the team to be better, that’s why I was hired at this football club – to be a manager, to win football matches, competitions and for the short, medium and long term. To create and create a project.Period He has had the same opportunity as everyone else.
“I’m sorry to have to leave three players off the list, which is never pleasant, but I just have to say that I tried to look everyone in the eye and be comfortable with it. “With Mesut, I had that feeling because I’ve been very straight since I came to this club.”
Arteta dismissed the idea that Ozil could leave the club before his contract expires next summer. Before admitting he was frustrated with himself for failing to impress the midfielder.
“My job is to get the best out of every player, to contribute to the team and the performance,” he added. “Here, I feel that at this moment, today, that I have failed because I want the best Mesut for the team.
Arteta believes he should have been able to work with Ozil/Pool/Getty Images
“At some moments I was able to get close to him but at other moments I couldn’t because I had to decide to leave him out of the squad. That’s the reality in football that anything can happen and I’ve spent years I have learned this. This is reality and we have to face it.
“The best way to deal with it is to talk face to face and do it the right way. That’s the way I am and that’s the way I’m going to continue to do it.”
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