Mesut Ozil could still have Arsenal reprieve as Mikel Arteta opens up on his absence

Arteta has opened up on Ozil's absence from the Arsenal team and has hinted that he could yet turn to him before his contract expires

Mikel Arteta has refused to rule out a dramatic recall for Arsenal outcast Mesut Ozil.

The German playmaker was omitted from the Gunners’ 25-man squad at the start of the campaign after a major breakdown in his relationship with manager Arteta.

However, when asked if there is any chance Ozil could be included in his set-up for the second half of 2020-21, the Spaniard stopped short of slamming the door shut.

Arteta, whose Gunners have lost six league games already this term, said: “He’s not in the squad right now. I’m focusing just on the players we have here.

Ozil has not played a single minute for Arsenal this season (Image: Arsenal FC via Getty Images)

"But, whatever happens in January, we have some time to decide.”

Ozil, the club’s highest-paid player on £300,000-a-week, made his last Arsenal appearance way back in early March - before the first national lockdown.

The ex-Real Madrid ace was subsequently dropped throughout Project Restart.

Arteta has not played Ozil at any point this season (Image: 2020 Visionhaus)

Then Arteta seemed to call time on his Emirates career - for good - by excluding him from his current squad.

But amid the Gunners’ poor league form - they were slumped in 15th heading into the weekend - some supporters want Ozil, 31, to be given another chance after January.

Arteta added: “Before I made my decision, I knew that would happen.”