Former Everton and Arsenal midfielder Mikel Arteta was on Friday confirmed as the new manager for the Gunners thus replacing Unai Emery who was sacked from his post last month. Arteta has signed a three-and-a-half-year contract with the Gunners which will run until the summer of 2023.
And soon after his appointment, Arteta has decided to give Mesut Ozil another chance stating that whatever has happened in the past should remain there. Arteta further insisted that Ozil could still be an integral player for the club.
The 31-year-old was frozen out under his former manager Unai Emery and also reacted angrily when he was substituted by interim manager Freddie Ljungberg during the 3-0 defeat to Manchester City last weekend.
Ozil took his gloves off in a rage and kicked them into touch during the wild outburst when he was brought off at the Emirates Stadium.
The 2014 World Cup winner didn’t feature in the Gunners’ 0-0 draw with Everton on Saturday due to injury, however Ljungberg revealed after the match that he would not have been selected even if he was fit.
“Mesut was injured, but I would not have picked him for the squad because I want to make a stance that it’s not what I accept from an Arsenal football player.
“That’s my decision. I won’t make the decisions again, but that’s what I think.”
But the new Arsenal gaffer refused to punish the former Real Madrid player for anything he did before he took charge of the club.
“You’re not going to be judged on what you done in the past, positive or negative,” Arteta said.
“We will try to put the most competitive team out, we are to be ready and nullify them as much as possible.”
Arsenal will be looking to finish the end of the decade strongly. They play away on Boxing Day against Bournemouth and host Chelsea on Dec 29. The London based side currently occupy the 11th spot in the Premier League standings.
