Mikel Arteta has admitted that there is no imminent likelihood of Mesut Ozil returning to Arsenal's first-team plans, after the playmaker was left out of the Gunners' squad for the north London derby.

The former Real Madrid man has not played since the Premier League resumed last month, appearing twice as an unused substitute in June before a back injury sidelined him once more.

Against Tottenham at the weekend, Ozil was reportedly fit and available but was not included in the matchday squad, leading to questions of the manager as to the nature of his absence.

Arteta did not disclose the full nature of the issue, but told reporters: “He’s still in the same position as he was last week or two weeks ago. And we said that we would manage everything internally.”

Ozil has managed just a single assist in the league in 2020, and only two all season long, plus one goal.

In recent weeks, Arteta has played a 3-4-3 system which would arguably leave no room in the team for the 31-year-old, unless it was in Bukayo Saka’s right-sided position in the attacking line.

Ozil’s massive wages, widely reported at £350,000 a week, have long been a source of concern against both his productivity and the ease with which the club can offload him.

He has previously been linked with Turkish Super Lig clubs, but no move has materialised.

The attacking midfielder has one more year left to run on his contract at the Emirates Stadium.

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