Ozil won’t leave Arsenal until 2021 when £350k-a-week contract ends despite Emery wanting him out
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MESUT OZIL is determined to see out his contract at Arsenal despite falling out of favour under Unai Emery.
The midfielder has a deal until the summer of 2021, but doesn't look like starting many games up until then.
The retired German international has failed to make the matchday squad on a number of occasions this season and there are rumours that he doesn't work hard enough in training.
But on a £350,000-a-week contract unsurprisingly, there haven't been many takers for the 31-year-old.
But in an interview with , Ozil has re-iterated his desire to stay at the Emirates and fight for his future.
He said: “I have a contract until the summer of 2021 and I will be staying until then.
“When I signed the new deal, I thought about it very carefully and said it was one of the most important decisions of my footballing career.
"I didn’t want to stay for just one or two more years, I wanted to commit my future to Arsenal and the club wanted me to do the same.
“You can go through difficult times, like this, but that is no reason to run away and I’m not going to. I’m here until at least 2021.
“I said that Arsene Wenger was a big factor in me joining Arsenal — and he was — but ultimately I signed for the club.
"Even when Arsene announced he was leaving, I wanted to stay because I love playing for Arsenal and that’s why I’ve been here for six years."
OZIL OFFERED SOME HOPE
The club's head of football Raul Sanllehi has offered Ozil a shred of hope - but warned the German outcast he needs to "contribute 24/7" to the team.
The Gunners' head of football believes the midfielder's "qualities are without question" but admitted he must work harder.
It was earlier revealed by Sanllehi that Unai Emery will only pick players who work hard in training, with no other bias.
Speaking at Arsenal fan forum, Sanllehi said: "Unai has had many good players in other teams also, and he has always followed the same policy.
Mesut Ozil's qualities are without question
Arsenal chief Raul Sanllehi
"That is to try not to make any distinctions, play the ones who work hard in training and reward the effort with playing time.
"There is nothing against Mesut on the contrary and I hope we get to see him much more in the next games because his qualities are without question.
"But he needs to contribute 24/7 and that’s what Unai expects from him.
"It’s not that he’s not working so well, but there are others who are deserving more playing time, but Unai can’t treat him differently than any other player.
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"You may have read that Unai has put a barrier up, but nothing at all like this has happened."
Ozil has started just ONE Premier League game so far this season, against Watford, and was subbed off after 71 minutes.
The likes of youngsters Matteo Guendouzi, Joe Willock and Reiss Nelson have all been picked ahead of Ozil this season.
