Arsenal teammate jumps to defense of 'professional & loyal' Ozil

The German playmaker hasn’t seen action since March, and a compatriot of his is impressed how well he has dealt with the uneasy scenario.

Arsenal’s Mesut Ozil was not included in the club’s latest 25-man squad list for the Premier League as well as Europe League.

The midfielder’s exclusion came despite him being in peak physical condition. And while it did come as a surprise, the decision in no way provoked shock among the fans considering his performance levels had dipped severely.

Considered one of the world’s finest creative players at one time, the former Real Madrid man is now struggling for game time having not played a single minute since March 7.

Ozil’s future since then has been much speculated with many doubting if he will play for the Gunners ever again.

The 32-year-old insisted that he was ‘deeply disappointed’ by the club’s actions while also pledged to keep fighting to find a way back into the team.

Ozil’s apathetic attitude has largely been blamed for his exclusion, but Bernd Leno insists his compatriot has always been fully committed to Arsenal.

“Mesut is still a part of the team and trains with us. He is absolutely professional, both on the pitch and in the dressing room,” Leno told BILD.

“Obviously it’s a disappointing situation for him, but Mesut handles it well and is absolutely loyal.”