Mesut Ozil is reportedly in the running to start Arsenal’s first game of the season this weekend, and fans are split on the news, reports football.london.com.
The Germany international who faces an uncertain future was a surprise starter in the Gunners’ final pre-season game, against Aston Villa.
And according to The Sun, he could even start this weekend’s season opener against Fulham. That’s despite Ozil not featuring in any of Arsenal’s last 13 games of last season with Mikel Arteta freezing the German out, though initially, there was a back injury involved.
It’s well-known that Ozil has a very lucrative contract at Arsenal worth £350,000-per-week and unimpressed with his form, seemed the club wanted him out this summer, one year before his deal expires.
But with no interest from elsewhere, Arteta is reportedly resigned to the fact Ozil is sticking around for another season, and he is determined to make the best of the situation.
It looks as though that will play out in Ozil’s favour, Arteta keen to make sure the former former Real Madrid star is earning his money.
He is now set to be in the running for the short trip to Craven Cottage to face Premier League newboys Fulham in the 12.30pm kick-off on Saturday.
And that’s something few saw coming after Ozil didn’t even make a substitute appearance after the restart last term.
Asked why Ozil didn’t feature at the back-end of last season, Arteta said: “Pure football reasons.
“My only ambition is the best squad and the best players who give us the best opportunity to win the game.”