Arsenal's out of favour midfielder Mesut Ozil has said that he will leave on his own terms and plans to remain at the club until the end of his contract in 2021.
Ozil has not played a single minute since the Premier League resumed from its coronavirus-enforced pause in June with reports suggesting the Gunners want to pay-off the remaining year of his £350,000 (Dh1.7 million) per week deal
Manager Mikel Arteta insists the former Real Madrid player had been left out for "pure football reasons", although Ozil has been criticised for refusing to take a 12.5 per cent pay cut to help with the financial impact of the pandemic.
The 31-year-old had already lost his place in the team under previous manager Unai Emery but was back in the team when Freddie Ljungberg took over on an interim basis.
He has found himself ostracised again under Arteta and with seemingly little prospect of forcing his way back into the team.
"My position is clear," Ozil, who joined Arsenal in a £42.4m deal from Real Madrid in 2013, said in an interview with The Athletic.
“I’m here through to the last day of our agreement and I’ll give everything I have for this club. Situations like these will never break me, they only make me stronger.
"I showed in the past that I can come back into the team and I will show it again.
“I didn’t sign for two or three years, I signed for four and that should be respected by everyone.
"I love Arsenal, I love to work there, I love the people in the club – the real people, those I’ve been with for a long time – and I love London, it’s my home."
Ozil admitted that his decision to refuse a pay cut may have played his part in why he has again found himself sitting on the sidelines on matchdays.
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Arsenal's 2019/20 season ratings
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ARSENAL 2019/20 RATINGS: MANAGERS: Unai Emery – 3. After 18 months, the Spaniard was sacked at the end of November following a run of seven games without victory and with Arsenal eight points off the top four. His appointment brought optimism following the gradual decline under Arsene Wenger but Emery ultimately proved an ill fit. Reuters -
Mikel Arteta – 8. Despite finishing 10 points off the Premier League top four, Arsenal now appear to be trending in the right direction under the former captain’s guidance. Then, of course, there’s the FA Cup win. A trophy in your first season as a manager is fine going. EPA -
GOALKEEPERS: Bernd Leno – 6. Only eight clean sheets in 30 Premier League appearances, although much of that can be attributed to the defence in front of him. Prior to his season-ending injury, had a decent season and is assured of his place when fit. Reuters -
Emiliano Martínez – 7. Has done well since stepping in for Leno in the league and has had the gloves throughout Arsenal’s march to the FA Cup. A reliable No 2. AP -
DEFENDERS: Sokratis – 4. The Greek veteran has barely featured since Arteta arrived and contributed to the regular defensive shambles under Emery. Unlikely to be an Arsenal player next season. Reuters -
Calum Chambers – 7. Desperately unlucky season for Chambers, who returned after a Player of the Season loan spell at relegated Fulham. Arguably Arsenal’s standout defender before injury struck at the start of the year. Shutterstock -
Shkodran Mustafi – 5. After being largely ignored by Emery, the German has had some game time under Arteta and has actually put in a few decent performances. Still an accident waiting to happen, though. Reuters -
David Luiz – 6. Almost a typical Luiz campaign, ranging from world class to schoolboy. Problem is, it’s been more of the latter this season. Put in a good performance in the FA Cup final. PA -
Rob Holding – 6. Enjoyed a late run in the first team and played 90 minutes of the FA Cup final. Will hope he has done enough to convince Arteta of his worth ahead of next season. PA -
Pablo Mari – 4. Has made just three appearances in all competitions, since joining on loan in January, due to an ankle injury. Apparently, that’s enough to earn a permanent move. Go figure. Reuters -
Kieran Tierney – 8. The Scottish full-back had rotten luck with injuries this season, but the difference he makes when he plays is clear. A quality operator down the left flank, the early signs are promising. AP Photo -
Sead Kolasinac – 6. For a player with cult status, it was a mediocre season for the Bosnian. Gets an extra point for squaring up to armed carjackers last summer. Getty Images -
Hector Bellerin – 7. Another Arsenal defender to endure an injury-hit campaign, but after the Spaniard returned to the team, the Gunners looked stronger. His brilliant run started the move that led to the FA Cup final winner. PA -
Ainsley Maitland-Niles – 7. Adapted well to being played out of position, covering for the injured Bellerin at right-back. Was a constant threat in the FA Cup final when moved to left wing-back (another unfamiliar position). His versatility proved very useful but will want more game time in midfield next season. EPA -
Cedric Soares – 4. Like fellow January loanee Mari, injury has limited the full-back’s game-time. Also like Mari, has earned a permanent contract. PA -
MIDFIELDERS: Lucas Torreira – 6. One of Arsenal’s best players in his debut season last year. Has experienced a more subdued season this time round having lost his place in central midfield to Dani Ceballos. Reuters -
Granit Xhaka – 7. It was an eventful season for the Swiss midfielder. He looked destined for the exit after the episode with the fans during the Crystal Palace game and was stripped of the captaincy. Bounced back well to prove his worth to Arsenal. EPA -
Matteo Guendouzi – 5. Billed as the player Arsenal would build their next team around, instead the French midfielder looks set for the exit after being frozen out by Arteta following his behaviour against Brighton. Reuters -
Dani Ceballos – 8. It took some adjustment and there was the injury that sidelined him for 11 games, but the Spaniard emerged as Arsenal’s best midfielder. A player of genuine quality, Arteta should do all he can to tie down the Real Madrid player for another season. EPA -
Joe Willock – 6. A mainstay in Arsenal’s Europa League campaign, the 20-year-old midfielder was mainly used off the bench in the Premier League. Looks a bright prospect. PA -
Mesut Ozil – 2. One goal, three assists, 22 starts in all competitions, involved in just five Premier League wins. Has not kicked a ball since the restart. These are hardly the stats befitting of the club’s highest-paid player. Arsenal’s evolution under Arteta has left Ozil behind, so where do club and player go from here? PA -
FORWARDS: Gabriel Martinelli – 8. Arsenal’s breakthrough player of the season, the 19-year-old Brazilian scored 10 goals in 26 appearances across all competitions. A knee injury cut his campaign short but Martinelli looks every inch Arsenal’s next big star. Reuters -
Bukayo Saka – 8. Four goals and 11 assists from the 18-year-old Academy graduate marks a very impressive first full season in the senior squad. Saka looks set to be an important part of Arsenal’s future. Reuters -
Nicolas Pepe – 6. Given the club record fee and excitement that surrounded his arrival, the Ivorian winger’s debut season was mediocre at best. Eight goals and 10 assists across 42 games in all competitions is an ordinary return for a player of his undoubted talent. After a year to settle, should find another level next season. Getty Images -
Reiss Nelson – 6. Restricted to 11 starts in all competitions and struggled to make much of an impact, contributing three goals and three assists in 24 total appearances. A talented player and at just 20 years old, has a bright future ahead. EPA -
Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang – 10. This rating was a 9 prior to the FA Cup final before he scored both goals at Wembley to lead Arsenal to victory. Another superb season for the Gabonese star with 29 goals in 44 appearances. His contract expires next summer and the general consensus among Arsenal fans is ‘give him whatever he wants’, which seems fair enough. EPA -
Alexandre Lacazette – 7. A decent enough season for the French striker with 12 goals and seven assists over 39 appearances but there is a lingering sense that he should be producing more. EPA -
Eddie Nketiah – 6. Recalled from his loan spell at Leeds at the end of January, Nketiah chipped in with six goals in 19 games. Another from Arsenal’s Academy that looks set for a bright future. AP Photo
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But he also says that all the players wanted to contribute “but we needed more information and many questions were unanswered ... were rushed into it without proper consultation" at the time.
Ozil described how "people have been trying for two years to destroy me" and hoped to "turn the supporters against me and paint a picture that is not true".
He added: “For anyone in this situation, you have a right to know everything, to understand why it is happening and where the money is going. But we didn’t get enough details, we just had to give a decision.
“People who know me know exactly how generous I am and, as far as I’m aware, I was not the only player who rejected the cut in the end, but only my name came out."
As for his future under Arteta, Ozil said: "I committed myself to Arsenal because this was the club and the fanbase I wanted to play for. In that sense, nothing has changed. Mikel knows my quality and I will be ready when he needs me."
