Arsenal midfielder Mesut Ozil may be plying his trade elsewhere in the second half of the season as the club considers sending him out on loan.
The German star has recently fallen out of favour under Gunners boss Unai Emery, dropped to the bench or left out of the squad completely on a number of occasions over the last few months.
He was omitted from the team’s Carabao Cup quarter-final clash at Tottenham on Wednesday and according to the Daily Mail, Emery confessed post-match that the decision was ‘tactical’, which has thrown his future into further doubt.
As per The Telegraph, the Spanish head coach has previously stated that he will regularly leave Ozil out so that the team can cope with the ‘physicality and intensity’ of certain games more effectively and it seems now as if he is pondering the playmaker’s position at the club.
The Daily Mail reports that Arsenal officials may be prepared to let Ozil leave on loan during the winter transfer window, given the fact that they may struggle to find a permanent buyer prepared to match his £350,000 a week wages.
Mesut Ozil heading out of Arsenal?
Inter Milan have already declared their interest in the out-of-favour superstar, but it is believed that he would rather remain in London and fight for his place in the starting XI.
Ozil could force his way back into contention over the festive period, with important Premier League fixtures coming up thick and fast for the club over the next ten days.
First up for the Gunners is Burnley at home on Saturday, before a Boxing Day trip to Brighton and games against Liverpool and Fulham either side of the new year.
If Ozil can reproduce his best form during that time he might convince Emery that he still has plenty to offer this Arsenal team, as they chase a place in the Premier League’s top-four.