Mikel Arteta shares what he’s told Arsenal squad after being asked Ozil question

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Mikel Arteta has insisted, in comments reported by Football London, that every player in Arsenal’s squad has been given a clean slate after being asked about Freddie Ljungberg’s comments on Mesut Ozil.

Ozil was absent for the weekend’s draw with Everton due to injury. However, Ljungberg insisted that he would not have played anyway due to his reaction to being substituted against Manchester City.

The comments raised another question about Ozil’s future at the Emirates.

Interestingly however, Arteta – who would not express an opinion about Ljungberg’s comments on Ozil – insisted that no player within his squad is being immediately written off.

“I don’t know, that’s a question you have to ask him. I just wanted him to make the decision to pick the best possible lineup to win against Everton,” he said, as reported by Football London, when asked about Ozil being left out and Ljungberg’s decision.

“My job started straight after the game to pick the players up mentally and put them in the work frame that I want.

“With me, they have a clean sheet I told them. You’re not going to be judged on what you’ve done in the past whether it’s negative or positive. This is evolving everyday and I’m expecting you to perform and be in the right mindset every single day for me.

“If you do that, you have a chance to play, if you don’t, you won’t.”

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It looks to be a smart move from Arteta. There always tends to be surprise revelations amongst the playing squad when new managers come in. And it would be massive for Arteta if he could get the best out of a player of Ozil’s calibre.

It is also impressive that the Spaniard has sent out such a clear message straight away. His players need to buy into what he wants or they will be out of the picture.

Arsenal fans would be forgiven for having their doubts that Ozil will step up. He has come in for criticism under a number of managers during his time with the Gunners. But giving him another chance is surely a gamble worth taking for the new Arsenal boss.