Arsenal

Ozil should never play for Arsenal again after revelation – Verdict

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Image for Ozil should never play for Arsenal again after revelation – Verdict

OPINION

Mesut Ozil should never play for Arsenal again if reports that he has feigned injury this season are correct.

That would be a mutinous step too far from a player who is threatening to destroy any credibility he has left in the eyes of Gooners as his behind-the-scenes feud with Unai Emery takes a fresh twist.

To a great club who pay his ludicrously extravagant £350,000-a-week wages, to the coaching staff it is his job to impress and to the teammates with him he is supposed to do his utmost to win football matches.

Mostly, it would be a massive kick in the teeth to the supporters, many of whom idolise him for his creative powers and ability to make the extraordinary appear ordinary.

A report in Saturday’s Daily Mail claims Ozil exaggerated the extent of a back injury to rule himself out of December’s north London derby against Tottenham because he knew he would not be named in the starting XI.

“Having examined the German, Arsenal medical staff detected a minor back issue that ran down into the top of his hamstrings,” it is said. “However there was a belief amongst coaching staff that Ozil could have played without much discomfort, but cited the back issue knowing it gave him a genuine reason not to suffer the the ignominy of being a substitute during a north London derby.”

If true, this amounts to footballing treachery, a dereliction of duty in a game which still places great store on a willingness to put your body on the line and show commitment to the cause.

Martin Keown claimed on BT Sport on Thursday night that Ozil’s absence record – the defeat to Bate Borisov was the 100th match he has missed since joining Arsenal in 2013 – was “embarrassing”.

Being absent due to serious, bone-breaking injuries is one thing.

Feigning injury because you’re hurt, or angry, or embarrassed, that you’ve been axed is beyond the pale.

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