'Ozil is the elephant in the room' - Campbell urges Arsenal to sell star

Kevin Campbell has urged Arteta to sell ‘the elephant in the room’ Ozil this summer for Arsenal and weighed in on who else may leave.

Arsenal have made strong progress under Mikel Arteta and recently won a second trophy in the space of under two months by defeating Liverpool in last weekend’s Community Shield.

New signings have also been made recently in Brazilian duo Willian and Gabriel Magalhaes. Pablo Mari and Cedric Soares, meanwhile, have signed permanent deals after joining on loan last season.

Arteta has only parted with €34m to sign all these four players, with Magalhaes’ transfer from Lille easily the most expensive at €26m.

If the Gunners boss hopes to sign more players, however, he may have to sell a few first. It’s no secret the coronavirus pandemic hit the club hard financially, like many of their rivals, and it leaves them on a restricted budget.

Now Campbell has weighed in on who may leave as part of Arteta’s revolution, highlighting Mesut Ozil as the obvious choice to leave.

“I think what Mikel Arteta’s done, he’s put Matteo Guendouzi in the ice cold storage in the garage hasn’t he?” he told Stadium Astro.

“He’s put him in the freezer because he was challenging Arteta’s authority last season and he was out in the cold. New season, they’ve said, ‘Right, everybody starts from scratch.’

“Let’s see if Guendouzi – we know he’s got talent, but he has to have the attitude to go with it – is willing to tow the line and do what he needs to. If not, then I’m sure Arteta will sell him.

“The elephant in the room is Mesut Ozil. He need not do anything, he’s got a year left on his contract and he says he’s staying, so whatever business they can do – if they can do any business to get him out, fine – if not, that’s a millstone around your neck to deal with.”

The former Arsenal striker added on who else may leave: “I think [Sead] Kolasinac is one, Calum Chambers, Rob Holding, there’s talk of him going out on loan or maybe a permanent deal.

“[Ainsley] Maitland-Niles I would keep him indefinitely. He’s a box spanner, he can fill in for you at right-back, left-back, center midfield, utility man, good player, good engine. I think he’s one who could prove to be invaluable to the football club.”