Mesut Ozil missed our recent match against Stoke due to a minor foot injury, which he recovered from in time for the next game against Chelsea.

However, apparently the foot injury continues to cause the playmaker pain and he’s now having his training sessions tailored to his needs so that he doesn’t aggravate it.

The German has been encouraged not to train, it appears, right before big matches so that the injury can be as healed as possible going into the game.

508019710 southamptons english goalkeeper saves this gettyimages
Southampton’s English goalkeeper (R) saves this close range shot from Arsenals German midfielder Mesut Ozil (L) during the English Premier League football match between Arsenal and Southampton at the Emirates Stadium in London on February 2, 2016. / AFP / IKIMAGES / IKIMAGES / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or ‘live’ services. Online in-match use limited to 45 images, no video emulation. No use in betting, games or single club/league/player publications. / (Photo credit should read IKIMAGES/AFP/Getty Images)

Although it’s unclear how true the reports are, it’s worrying if Ozil is still injured and is simply having to play through the pain for the good of the team. This isn’t a position we want any player to be in, no matter how much we need them.

The precautions are supposedly in place to prevent the injury from becoming worse, although if he’s still playing on it, how is supposed to heal at all?