Arsenal are reportedly furious at Mesut Ozil for speaking out about his situation at the club, turning once again to their pals in the media to help them drive him from the Emirates.

Arsenal's German midfielder Mesut Ozil (L) and Arsenal's French midfielder Matteo Guendouzi (R) reacts as they wait to restart after Leicester City score the opening goal during the English Premier League football match between Leicester City and Arsenal at King Power Stadium in Leicester, central England on November 9, 2019. (Photo by Oli SCARFF / AFP)
Arsenal’s German midfielder Mesut Ozil (L) and Arsenal’s French midfielder Matteo Guendouzi (R) reacts as they wait to restart after Leicester City score the opening goal during the English Premier League football match between Leicester City and Arsenal at King Power Stadium in Leicester, central England on November 9, 2019. (Photo by Oli SCARFF / AFP)

Mesut Ozil gave what can only be described as a ‘frank’ interview to David Ornstein of The Athletic this week.

In it, he made it perfectly clear it was not his fault he wasn’t being picked and highlighted his refusal to take a paycut during the break as a possible reason why he wasn’t being used.

It was something we spoke about at length given Ozil wants to play and Mikel Arteta seemingly wants to pick him. Are the club forcing Arteta to leave him on the sidelines because Ozil challenged them?

It can’t be ruled out.

“Arsenal are angry with Mesut Ozil after the midfielder broke ranks to defend his decision to reject a reduction in his £350,000-per-week wages, while hinting that may be why Mikel Arteta stopped selecting him,” starts the Daily Mail’s piece.

Subtle.

ARSENAL FURY AT OZIL OUTBURST Star insists he will not be forced out of club: Daily Mail, 14 August 2020
ARSENAL FURY AT OZIL OUTBURST
Star insists he will not be forced out of club: Daily Mail, 14 August 2020

The majority of the Daily Mail’s article is just a rehash of Ozil’s interview with Ornstein, apart from the paragraph I detailed above.

Did the Daily Mail guess or did the club whisper in their ear?

Given how hard they are trying to get Ozil’s wages off the books, I’m inclined to think it’s the latter, and it’s not to save money.

It’s impossible to make that case when the club, through Raul Sanllehi and his chum, Kia Joorabchian, have just concocted a deal that will see Willian earn £35m from the club, negating any notion that the player is ‘free’ as they pay his full market value straight into his pocket.

It’s also worth noting that the Daily Mail writers state that ‘most of the FA Cup winners’ squad accepted a year-long 12.5 per cent pay cut…’

Most is not all and as we also know, Ozil was in Turkey, not the FA Cup final squad.

ARSENAL FURY AT OZIL OUTBURST Star insists he will not be forced out of club: Daily Mail, 14 August 2020
ARSENAL FURY AT OZIL OUTBURST
Star insists he will not be forced out of club: Daily Mail, 14 August 2020

“People who know me know exactly how generous I am and, as far as I’m aware, I was not the only player who rejected the cut in the end, but only my name came out,” Ozil told Ornstein.

“I guess that’s because it is me and people have been trying for two years to destroy me, to make me unhappy, to push an agenda they hope will turn the supporters against me and paint a picture that is not true.