Mesut Ozil
Arsenal players are reported to be losing patience with top earner Mesut Ozil, after it was confirmed the Germany international is to be ruled out for the remainder of the Premier League campaign.
Ozil has missed the Gunners’ last five league fixtures, and has now been ruled out of the final games with a back injury.
Playmaker Ozil returned recently for the crucial Europa League semi-final second leg against Atletico Madrid but put in a lacklustre display, prompting club legend Martin Keown to brand him ‘not fit to wear the shirt.’
Keown’s sentiments now appear to be shared within the Gunners dressing room, with a growing unhappiness at Ozil appearing to pick and choose the games he wishes to play in.
Ozil has not started 25 of Arsenal’s 58 games this season after being rested for the group stages of the Europa League, the FA Cup and the early rounds of the EFL Cup.
This latest setback for the player follows a series of mystery illnesses which have recurred regularly over the past 18 months.
Ozil’s omission from the match day squad against Burnley on Sunday – in what was Arsene Wenger’s final home game as Arsenal manager – is said to have been the final straw for some players.
Ozil later took to social media to express his sadness about missing out on the fixture, though reassured fans he is sure he will return to fitness in time to play at the World Cup.