Mikel Arteta hits back at Mesut Ozil: I have been really fair with him
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ByEurosport
Updated 21/10/2020 at 20:05 GMT
Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has responded to Mesut Ozil's post on social media about his disappointment at his omission from the Gunners' squad. Arteta said that Ozil's absence was nothing to do with his behaviour - just football.
Mesut Ozil listens to Arsenal Head Coach Mikel Arteta during a training session
Image credit: Getty Images
Mikel Arteta has hit back at Mesut Ozil - saying he is completely comfortable with his decision to leave him out of Arsenal's 25-man Premier League squad.
The midfielder had said on social media earlier on Wednesday that he was "disappointed" at his omission from the set-up, adding: "Loyalty is hard to come by nowadays. I've always tried to remain positive from week to week that there's maybe a chance to get back in the squad soon again. That's why I kept silent so far."
But in a press call later in the afternoon, the Arsenal manager responded to his player's comments - saying that he had taken the step not because of Ozil's behaviour, but based entirely on football.
"It was just a football decision and my conscience is very calm because I have been really fair with him," Arteta told reporters.
It's nothing related to (Ozil's) behaviour. It's my decision.
"My job is to get the best out of every player to contribute to the team performance. At the moment I feel that I have failed because I want the best possible Mesut for the team.
"In some moments I was able to get close to that but at the moment I haven't been able to do it."
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