by Callum » Sun Oct 25, 2020 12:51 am
Ozil speaking out against the club and Arteta shows that he's not particularly interested in playing football for Arsenal anymore, because he must know that frequently undermining the club in public is not going to do him any favours or help him retain a place in the side. You can think his criticism is justified but to me it reeks of him being far more concerned about winning a PR war than actually playing for Arsenal or winning a place in the side.
He's known since the end of last season he's no longer wanted here. Frankly, I get the impression he doesn't value making the most of the remainder of his playing career, or at least not above enjoying his life in London and earning his fortune at Arsenal. He's entitled to do that, of course—we offered him that deal—but to believe he's staying at Arsenal out of loyalty is frankly absurd. He was happy to run down his last contract and bleed as much money from the club as he could when he was still a wanted man, and now talks about loyalty when it's convenient for him.
Also, disclaimer—I don't believe Aubameyang stayed out of loyalty either. I think he stayed because the money was right and a place in Arteta's project was important to him, along with other nominal factors (e.g. his lifestyle in London, his popularity amongst the squad). If Aubameyang came out talking about how he stayed simply because of loyalty I wouldn't believe it either.