KEY POINTS

  • Mesut Ozil hit for not being physically present during Arsenal FA Cup Final triumph
  • Former Gunner says Ozil actions selfish and sign of lack of respect
  • Ozil future remains uncertain despite live contract

Arsenal F.C. is savoring its FA Cup triumph although there were players absent during the final. One of them was Mesut Ozil. The German was permitted to travel to Turkey after Ozil found out that he would not be on Mikel Arteta's matchday squad. Unfortunately, former Gunner Perry Groves felt that the move was a sign of disrespect and selfishness.

Ozil has yet to play a single minute since football action restarted and such has led to speculations about his future. Critics feel that Ozil has fallen out of favor of Arteta and that a move out of Emirates Stadium may be happening soon.

That matter was hardly touched last week with the Gunners focusing on the FA Cup Final. Arsenal defeated Chelsea, 2-1, and Ozil kept tabs of the match. The German responded to an Instagram post of Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang which read: “great job my boys."

While that was to be expected, Groves saw it otherwise. He felt that the fact that Ozil was in Turkey and not around to support the Gunners in the FA Cup Final was a sign of lack of self-respect to Arteta and the team.

“That just sums him up all over. He’s not bothered about Arsenal, he’s just bothered about himself,” Groves said to TalkSPORT. “I wouldn’t want my teammates to think that I was that selfish. So it just means that he knows he’s done with Arsenal."

From here, the future of Ozil remains unknown. He is currently earning about $444,000 a week and most are left wondering how Arsenal can keep him and not use him. The 31-year-old has been hit for his failure to align with Arteta's drive, yet another reason that has raised questions on his future at Emirates Stadium.

Arsenal's German midfielder Mesut Ozil criticised China's treatment of the Uighur Muslim minority
Arsenal's German midfielder Mesut Ozil criticised China's treatment of the Uighur Muslim minority IKIMAGES / Ian KINGTON

Ozil has been linked to several clubs in the past weeks. Among those teams include Fenerbahce of the Turkish Super Lig. The German reportedly turned down the offer, partly due to the weekly wages offered to him.

According to his agent, Erkut Sogut, Ozil will play out the remainder of his contract. The German will become a free agent in 2021.

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