Arsenal news: Mesut Ozil urged to ‘contribute 24/7’ to win back first team place
Ozil has played just 142 minutes of football this season and head of football Raul Sanllehi wants him to offer more
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.Mesut Ozil has been urged to “contribute 24/7” in order to win back the trust of Unai Emery and get back in the Arsenal first team.
Raul Sanllehi, head of football at the club, suggested that Ozil could make more of an effort in training to win back his place at a fans forum.
Ozil has not made the match day squad for any of Arsenal’s last three fixtures, but Sanllehi believes he does still have a place at the club, and that rumours that Emery has ostracised the playmaker are not true.
“Unai has had many good players in other teams also, and he has always followed the same policy which is try not to make any distinctions, play the ones who work hard in training and reward the effort with playing time,” he said.
“There is nothing against Mesut on the contrary and I hope we get to see him much more in the next games because his qualities are without question, but he needs to contribute 24/7 and that’s what Unai expects from him.
“It’s not that he’s not working so well, but there are others who are deserving more playing time, but Unai can’t treat him differently than any other player.
“You may have read that Unai has put a barrier up, but nothing at all like this has happened.”
Arsenal are believed to be open to entertaining offers for the German in January, but Sanllehi’s comments seem to indicate that Ozil can still contribute in the meantime.
His contract runs to 2021, meaning a sale is not necessarily urgent, but Ozil is believed to be keen for a move to pastures new.
Emery has previously suggested that Ozil is not one of Arsenal’s best players at the moment.
“I am thinking every time the best players for the match, the best players in the squad to play and help us,” Emery said ahead of the 1-0 win over Bournemouth.
“When I decided he isn’t in the squad it’s because I think other players deserve it more.”
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments