The World Cup winner’s exile has coincided with a dreadful run for Arsenal, leading Merson to demand Arteta swallows his pride and apologizes.
Paul Merson wants Mikel Arteta to apologize to Mesut Ozil for excluding the German from the Arsenal squad and to recall him for the next month.
Ozil, who is the club’s highest-earner on £350,000-per-week, hasn’t played one game since March 7. And with just over six months left on his contract, he appears set to end his time as a Gunner in dismal circumstances.
There are even reports linking him with a move to Turkish giants Fenerbahce in the January transfer window.
Mesut Özil made the most ball recoveries, created the most chances, completed the most final third passes, succeeded the most dribbles and made the most interceptions of any Arsenal player when he was on the pitch during his last appearance against Burnley. pic.twitter.com/9KjEa19FZ4
— MÖS (@MesutOzilStats) December 12, 2020
But a lack of creativity has been cited as the primary cause for Arsenal’s lack of scoring threat, having only scored two goals in their last seven league games, and Ozil is widely viewed as the man capable of fixing this problem.
“Arsenal could still be playing Tottenham NOW and they wouldn’t have scored a goal,” former Gunners star Merson told Daily Star.
“What can they do in January to fix it? Go and knock on Mesut Ozil’s door, say you’re sorry and you need him to play!
“Arsenal were atrocious against Spurs. They never looked like scoring. Ozil’s getting £350,000-a-week and sitting at home while his team can’t score.
“I’m not saying play him against Manchester City or Liverpool, when you’re not going to see much of the ball.
“But against teams like Spurs or Burnley, he can get on the ball and dictate things and make a few decent chances.
“They could re-register him in January. They’re missing a trick if they don’t.”
Arsenal will return to action on Sunday at home to Burnley in the Premier League.
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