Mesut Ozil could make a return to the Arsenal first team for the opening game against Fulham on Saturday, according to reports in Metro.
The 31-year-old is currently one of the Gunners’ longest serving players after joining from Real Madrid in 2013. Since the resumption of the footballing season after COVID enforced suspension, he has not featured for the first team but that might change very soon.
The report in Metro states that the German play-maker could make a dramatic return to the squad for the season opener against Fulham after sitting out for 13 straight Premier League games. It appears that Mikel Arteta could offer him another chance to prove his worth.
The midfielder started in a preseason friendly against Aston Villa on Saturday at the Emirates stadium. He was part of a strong Arsenal side that also included the likes of Nicolas Pepe, Alexandre Lacazette, Dani Ceballos and Willian.
Ozil is the highest paid player at the club as he earns £350,000-a-week. He has just a year left on his contract so this would be a good time for him to come back into the team. Though there are rumors linking him with a move away from London, he reiterated his commitment to the club in an interview with The Athletic as he said:
“My position is clear. I’m here through to the last day of our agreement and I’ll give everything I have for this club.”
The signing of Ozil back in September of 2013 was a breath of fresh air for a club which has stayed away from big-money transfers until then. His time in England has proven to be a success given that he has won four FA Cups and also helped end the club’s nine year trophy drought in 2014.
Fans will be hoping that the German can once again showcase the form that made him one of the best midfielders in the world. Arsenal have a lot of matches to contend with this season and Arteta will be looking to make full use of his squad. If the preseason game against Aston Villa is anything to go by, Mesut Ozil might get a lot of game time if he manages to impress the Spanish boss.
