ARSENAL waited nine months desperate to get the fans back – and within five minutes they were embarrassed by one staging a protest about the treatment of Mesut Ozil.
World Cup winner Ozil, 32, has been frozen out by the Gunners this season despite collecting £350,000 a week for doing nothing.
One Arsenal fan brought a ‘Bring Back Mesut’ sign into the Emirates for the Europa League clashCredit: BT Sport
The punter – one of 2,000 inside the stadium – managed to get himself on TV with his bannerCredit: BT Sport
But the German’s exile has been criticised by some sections of the supporters who believe the team is weaker without him – especially after their dismal start to the season.
And just five minutes into the the game against Rapid Vienna with 2,000 fans allowed in, one of them was pictured holding up a banner demanding Ozil was brought back in from the cold.
Stewards at the Emirates have been active in recent seasons preventing fans waving banners criticising the Kroenke family which owns the club.
But they failed to spot the lone punter from making his point as he demanded ‘Bring Back Mesut’ for all to see.
The return of supporters also meant the return of classic banter in the stands as the Gunners faithful ironically sang ‘your support is f***ing s***’ to the empty away end.
The fans were not the only ones back on show.
So was popular Arsenal mascot Gunnersauras.
He was made redundant in cost-cutting measures by the club but was ironically saved when Ozil – out of contract next summer – offered to pay his wages.
But the ex-Real Madrid man’s act of generosity was not enough to convince boss Mikel Arteta to include him in either the Premier League or Europa League squads.
The 2,000 Arsenal fans fortunate enough to land a ticket for the game did not have too long to wait before getting off their social distanced seats.
Just ten minutes were on the clock when Alexandre Lacazette, wearing the captain’s armband, fired in emphatically from distance.
Pablo Mari headed in a second eight minutes later and Eddie Nketiah headed in before half-time as the Gunners put on a show for their returning fans.
But even then, one won’t be happy until he sees Ozil back in a Gunners shirt for the first time since March 7.
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Mesut Ozil has not played for Arsenal since March 7 but continues to be paid £350,000 per weekCredit: Getty Images – Getty
Jack Wilshere says that Mesut Ozil would walk into any Premier League team
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
