Arsenal are considering the possibility of allowing Mesut Ozil to leave the club on loan during the January transfer window, according to the Times.
They report that the German World Cup winner has failed to earn the faith of Unai Emery, which is not a surprising revelation given Ozil was left entirely out of the matchday squad to face Tottenahm in midweek.
The Gunners are apparently keenly aware that Ozil’s £350,000 a week contract – only signed in February – will put off potential mid-season buyers and that is why they are prepared to allow him to leave on a temporary basis next month.
The report also claims that Emery and Ozil have clashed at times this season in team meetings, after the intense Spaniard questioned the languid German’s work-rate.
The prospect of a player of such international repute and so lavishly rewarded should not be reduced to the ignominy of being loaned out, especially in the middle of the season.
This is the clearest indication yet that Emery is not a fan at all of Ozil, and such an embarrassing fate for the German so early on in the relationship surely means he is set for a permanent exit in the summer – if Arsenal can find a buyer.