He has a back injury.
Arsène Wenger will be in charge of his final game at the Emirates today, when Arsenal host Burnley in a fixture that could decide the 'battle for 6th'. While Arsenal fans have long been critical of Wenger's management over the past few years, today was due to be a day of celebration, appreciation and gratitude.
However, it hasn't got off to a great start, as star player Mesut Özil was left out of the match day squad.
https://twitter.com/Arsenal/status/993136869432020992
Having played Atlético Madrid in the Europa League semi-final on Thursday, first choice players were once again rested as they were last weekend, with Calum Chambers and Konstantinos Mavropanos starting in defence. Özil's omission even from the bench came as a surprise though, given his quality and importance to making them tick.
Although, former Arsenal player and BT Sport pundit Martin Keown predicted this after Thursday's disappointing performance.
"Somebody needed to get hold of him a long time ago and give him a shake and say 'we are working for you, but you're not working for us. I bet he doesn't play again this season. He's not conning me, that's not a proper performance, there's so much more under the bonnet," Keown said on TV after the game.
Özil's nonchalant body language has been a point of criticism from pundits ever since he joined Arsenal, and his history of mysteriously missing matches through "illness" has not gone down well with fans.
Arsène Wenger explained before the match that he has a slight back issue, ruling him out.
Today, they were not impressed at all by his absence.
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