Goal reports that Mesut Ozil has been left out of Arsenal’s Europa League squad along with Greek defender Sokratis.
The 25-man squad may only contain 17 ‘non locally trained players’ and Gunners boss Mikel Arteta has opted to cut the club’s highest paid player, who is yet to play a single minute since football restarted in June.
Given the German has not played a single minute since football’s restart in June following the coronavirus enforced suspension, it was widely anticipated to see him axed from the squad.
The decision comes just a day after Ozil publicly stated he would be willing to pay the wages of Jerry Quy, the man who has played the role of Gunnersaurus – the Arsenal mascot – for the past 27 years. Ozil took to social media to make the offer after it emerged that Quy had been made redundant.
“I was so sad that Jerry Quy aka our famous and loyal mascot Gunnersaurus and integral part of our club was being made redundant after 27 years,” said the former Real Madrid star. “As such, I’m offering to reimburse Arsenal with the full salary of our big green guy as long as I will be an Arsenal player so Jerry can continue his job that he loves so much.”
Ozil’s last appearance for Arsenal came in the win against West Ham in March, the final game before football was suspended due to the coronavirus pandemic.
UEFA will officially confrim Arsenal’s 25-man squad for the Europa League on Thursday.
Ozil is frozen out from the squad for his bold statements regarding the paycut as well as his political stands. Arsenal is irking the wrath of a huge fan base who are relentlessly asking the club to bring back the German to the squad.
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