Mesut Ozil: Why is Arsenal star NOT in the squad to face Man City?
Posted Thursday, June 18, 2020 by Express.co.uk
Mesut Ozil has not been named in Arsenal's squad for their match with Manchester City as the Premier League returns tonight. Ozil was not thought to be injured before the match but was not named among the 20 players selected for the match squad.
Mesut Ozil has been in and out of the Arsenal side this season but has looked better under Mikel Arteta since he replaced Unai Emery. The footballer even posted a photo to Instagram yesterday, featuring himself at training. The caption read: "Back tomorrow”.
Why is Ozil not playing?
The exact reason why Ozil has been left out of the Arsenal squad for their Premier League meeting with Manchester City has not been revealed.
However, Arteta has picked a youthful line-up for the team’s first encounter in months.
Ozil is not the only one left out, with Eddie Nketiah selected over Alexandre Lacazette and Bukayo Saka, Joe Willock and Matteo Guendouzi starting instead of regulars.
Mesut Ozil has not been named in Arsenal's squad tonight (Image: GETTY)
Mesut Ozil is not in Arsenal's squad against Man City (Image: GETTY)
On David Luiz being left out of the starting XI, among others, Arteta said: "There are a few things that have happened in the last few weeks so I have to pick the team that I think will do well.
"It's a very emotional game for me obviously but I am very excited. It's been a tough few months for everybody."
He added: "Everything, every protocol, is different, so we have to adapt and find the right motivation. Let's find out how it goes."
Kieran Tierney will start at left-back, while Granit Xhaka and Matteo Guendouzi occupy the midfield.
Fans have been reacting to the team news on social media, with many focusing on Ozil missing from the squad.
One wrote: “Ozil didn’t make it into a 20 man squad. Do you know how crazy that is.”
Another said: “I honestly don't know what to say about this lineupSleepy faceSleepy face No Lacazette, No Pepe, No Ozil.”
Mesut Ozil took to social media to say he would be 'back tomorrow' yesterday (Image: TWITTER: MESUT OZIL)
A third added: “Ozil is going to be phased out and gone in the summer. Damn, my maestro. But it’s time, he has to go.”
Twitter users also joked the Premier League star could be at home playing Fortnite.
One wrote: “Is Ozil still in lockdown ? hes not even on the bench for Arsenal.
"Oh wait Fortnite released a new season today.”
Another said: “Is Mesut Ozil as good at Fortnite as he is at football?
"Or does he occasionally clutch games at the end after hiding in plain sight as a bush for most of the match.”
A third wrote: “Fortnite Season 3 came out this morning.
"Surely you can't expect Ozil to be involved tonight, he was up till the early hours in anticipation!!!”
Man City vs Arsenal: Premier League kicked off again on June 17 (Image: GETTY)
Arsenal’s line up
Arsenal XI: Leno, Bellerin, Mustafi, Mari, Tierney, Guendouzi, Xhaka, Willock, Saka, Aubameyang, Nketiah
Subs: Martinez, Ceballos, Lacazette, Maitland-Niles, Pepe, Luiz, Nelson, Kolasinac, Martinelli
Man City’s line up
Man City XI: Ederson, Walker, Garcia, Laporte, Mendy, Silva, Gundogan, De Bruyne, Mahrez, Gabriel Jesus, Sterling
Subs: Aguero, Zinchenko, Rodri, Sane, Bernardo Silva, Fernandinho, Otamendi, Carson, Foden
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