MESUT OZIL has been dumped from Arsenal’s 25-man Europa League squad — after saving club mascot Gunnersaurus from extinction.
And the £350,000-a-week German is almost certain to miss out again when the club submits their squad to the Premier League in ten days.
Ozil has been left out of Arsenal’s Europa League squadCredit: PA:Press Association
Mesut Ozil is in training with Arsenal but has yet to feature this season
That means Arsenal’s highest-paid player could have played his final game for the club — despite having another eight months of his Emirates contract to run.
Arsenal’s Europa League squad was submitted to Uefa on Tuesday night, just hours after Ozil announced on Twitter he would pay the wages of Gunnersaurus mascot Jerry Quy, who has been made redundant by the club.
The summer signings of Thomas Partey, Willian, Gabriel Magalhaes, Pablo Mari, Cedric Soares and Alex Runarsson have left manager Mikel Arteta spoiled for choice.
But he is only allowed to register 25 players over the age of 21 — and at least eight of them must have served their apprenticeships with an English club.
Now Arteta has taken the ruthless decision to omit Ozil after the club failed to negotiate a pay-off to get him off the wage bill.
Mesut Ozil models a new Arsenal kit that he appears unlikely to play inCredit: Getty Images – Getty
It looks like Ozil is on the scrapheap after failing to kick a ball for the club since the 1-0 win against West Ham on March 7.
And although he will be expected to continue training, it means his only hope of playing again this season is to sign for a club in the EFL or rip up his contract by mutual agreement and leave as a free agent.
Ozil could still be registered by Arsenal after the close of the January transfer window but it is highly unlikely as it appears Arteta has decided to move on without him
Arsenal new-boy William Saliba in line for Championship loan transfer after failed St Etienne return
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
