Audio By Carbonatix
Arsenal midfielder Mesut Ozil says he is "deeply disappointed" after being left out of the Gunners' 25-man Premier League squad.
Ozil, 32, who joined Arsenal for a then club record £42.4m in 2013, has not played for the club since 7 March.
The German, who had also been omitted from the Europa League squad, can now only play for Arsenal Under-23s until his deal expires in summer 2021.
In a message to Arsenal fans, he said "loyalty is hard to come by nowadays".
"I'm really deeply disappointed by the fact that I have not been registered for the Premier League season for the time being," Ozil wrote on social media.
"Upon signing my new contract in 2018, I pledged my loyalty and allegiance to the club that I love, Arsenal, and it saddens me that this has not been reciprocated.
"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."
Since joining from Real Madrid seven years ago, Ozil has scored 44 goals in 254 appearances in all competitions for the Gunners.
He fell out of favour under previous manager Unai Emery before returning to the side under interim boss Freddie Ljungberg.
After Mikel Arteta's appointment in December 2019, Ozil started all 10 of Arsenal's Premier League games immediately before the coronavirus pandemic forced a three-month suspension of the top-flight in March.
Earlier in October, he offered to pay the salary of Jerry Quy, the man who plays the role of club mascot Gunnersaurus, who was one of 55 redundancies at the club.
"Before the coronavirus break I was really happy with my development under our new coach Mikel Arteta - we've been on a positive way and I would say my performances were on a really good level," Ozil added.
"But then things changed, again, and I was no longer allowed to play football for Arsenal.
"What else can I say? London still feels like home, I still have many good friends in this team, and I still feel a strong connection with the fans of this club.
"No matter what, I will keep fighting for my chance and not let my eighth season at Arsenal end like this.
"I can promise you that this hard decision won't change anything in my mindset - I will continue to train as best as I can and wherever possible use my voice against inhumanity and for justice."
Latest Stories
-
The Luckiest JoySports Invitational 2026: Check out full draw and fixtures for football event
14 minutes -
Styrofoam Ban: EPA launches second public awareness campaign in Kumasi
24 minutes -
Discipline or Abuse: What happens when ‘Discipline’ becomes torture? A 12-Year-Old’s harrowing tale
33 minutes -
Gong Gong Glory: Publicis West Africa strikes gold again
44 minutes -
Prolong Middle East tensions could hurt Ghana’s economy – World Bank warns
46 minutes -
Interior Minister presents 33-seater bus to Ghana Prisons Service
51 minutes -
Elton John, Oprah Winfrey and Paul McCartney join tributes to Dolly Parton
51 minutes -
We are solidly behind you – Christian Council rallies support for Ghana Medical Trust Fund
1 hour -
Gold strategy must shield BoG from commercial risks – Licensed Gold Buyers
1 hour -
Saglemi: NPP’s private-sector model vindicated – Kojo Oppong Nkrumah
1 hour -
Dolly Parton net worth: The country legend had no kids. Here’s where her fortune is going
1 hour -
CPS says DGPP design makes losses inevitable, calls for overhaul
1 hour -
Today’s Front Pages: Wednesday, August 26, 2026
1 hour -
Gillman & Abbey Funeral Service and Remembers Group partner to preserve legacies and expand funeral services in Ghana
1 hour -
Free SHS at 9: Access up, but what about quality? – Centre for Policy Scrutiny to review programme
1 hour