Mikel Arteta disagrees with Arsene Wenger’s claim that Mesut Ozil is being ‘wasted’ at Arsenal.
Ozil is yet to feature for the Gunners this season, while the club’s hierarchy have reportedly held negotiations which would release the midfielder from his contract before the end of the campaign.
Earlier this week, Wenger admitted he was unhappy to see Ozil’s situation at Arsenal and believes the midfielder still has a lot to offer to Arteta’s side.
‘I feel it is a waste for him,’ Wenger said when asked about Ozil’s situation.
‘Firstly because he’s in the years where a player of his talent can produce the most.
‘And it’s a waste for the club as well because he’s a super talent, a creative talent that in the final third can create that killer pass.’
But when asked about Wenger’s assessment, Arteta said: ‘I think you have to try to find a way to fit every player with their own qualities.
‘This is our job and this is our responsibility with all the players we have to manage.’
Ozil was also left out of Arsenal’s squad for their upcoming Europa League campaign and Arteta admits it was a ‘difficult decision’ to omit the 32-year-old.
‘Well he wasn’t the only one who’s not in the squad,’ said the Arsenal manager.
‘It was a really difficult decision for me to make because to leave players out of the squad at that level where they know they cannot get involved is really tough.
‘I don’t like it at all but the decision has to be made because we have a limit on foreign players and unfortunately we have to make that decision.’
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