SENIOR Arsenal stars are reportedly hoping to see Mesut Ozil recalled to the team in January.
Mikel Arteta has not played the German since March having dropped him from the 25-man squads allowed to play in the Premier League and Europa League.
Mesut Ozil is being backed by senior Arsenal stars to return next monthCredit: Getty Images – Getty
Amid his exile, Ozil has continued to train with the first-team.
But his treatment is said to be a driving force behind a dressing room divide, also caused by the handling of Sokratis Papastathopoulos’ removal from the squad.
According to the Telegraph, there is no dressing room consensus over seeing the 32-year-old given a fresh chance.
A group of senior players are described as keen to see Ozil return.
Next month, Arteta can update his league and European squad quotas.
Should Ozil fail to make the cut, it will finally spell the end of his career with the club.
Signed in 2013, he agreed a new £350,000-a-week deal in early 2018 that expires in the summer.
Fenerbahce are linked with a move for the playmaker and a stint in MLS is also reportedly an option.
Arsenal earned a much-needed reprieve on the pitch on Boxing Day with a 3-1 win over Chelsea.
But sporting director Edu Gaspar admitted earlier in the month that creativity has been lacking in Ozil’s position this season.
He told a fans’ forum: “It’s quite clear what we need.
“We need a player with creativity in the middle, we don’t have that in the squad right now.”
Arteta also accepted that there could be a route back into the side for Ozil when the squad registrations are updated in January.
He stated: “I’m focusing just on the players we have here.
“But, whatever happens in January, we have some time to decide.”
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Mikel Arteta drops huge hint that Mesut Ozil could be recalled to squad in January
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
