KEY POINTS

  • Ozil knows playing next season for Arsenal is not in his hands
  • Ozil takes a dig at Tottenham
  • Ozil advised to prove that he deserves a spot for Gunners next season

Mesut Ozil appeared to be on the track to redemption but one game does not set his future. The German defender surprisingly made an appearance at a recent friendly and most are speculating that all is well now between him and Mikel Arteta.

But in a recent Q&A, the 31-year-old admits that his status for the coming season is not in his hands. He admits he is ready and fit to play but everything hinges on what Arteta plans to do for the Gunners.

"I’m fit & ready and doing my best," Ozil said. "Unfortunately it’s not in my hands to decide about the squad on the weekend. We will see!"

The best that Ozil can do right now is show he is worth giving a chance to play this season. Before the COVID-19 pandemic, the German was performing well under Arteta. But for some reason, he was grounded for the rest of the season. He only emerged once more in that friendly match against Aston Villa that seemed to show that everything is on reset.

Recall that Arteta previously said that he was willing to start from scratch with all players. Matteo Guendouzi and Ozil were two of the players under his wing that were under the radar. Guendouzi has been linked to a possible move out of Emirates Stadium while Ozil was speculated to be loaned out.

If Ozil wants to stay, technical director Edu believes that the German needs to perform in training and games for him to remain in the plans of Arteta. For those who have been following him, this is an issue most feel that needs to be addressed.

Though he has been beseeched by back problems, Ozil has been criticized for his laid-back nature with the Gunners.

Ozil has shown a new sense of energy on social media, seemingly ready for the coming season. However, there remains no clarity on whether Arteta is ready to redeploy the German winger.

Aside from touching his fate this coming season, Ozil did not hold back when he was asked about a potential move to Tottenham. He ended the Q&A by saying: "If I don’t want to win a cup, I should go there."

Arsenal's Mesut Ozil reacts to his substitution during the English Premier League football match against Manchester City. China's state media cancelled coverage of the match because of Ozil's criticism of Beijing's treatment of its Uighur minority
Arsenal's Mesut Ozil reacts to his substitution during the English Premier League football match against Manchester City. China's state media cancelled coverage of the match because of Ozil's criticism of Beijing's treatment of its Uighur minority AFP / Ben STANSALL