Arsenal chief Per Mertesacker confirms Mesut Ozil omission IS NOT because of training or playing performances

ARSENAL academy boss Per Mertesacker has confirmed Mesut Ozil's continued omission is NOT because of his on-field performances - suggesting it could be 'personal'.

The German playmaker, 32, has been completely frozen out by Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta in recent months.

Ozil hasn't played for the Gunners since the 1-0 win over West Ham on March 7.

The ex-Real Madrid star was left out of the Europa League squad earlier this month.

Ozil is also set to be left off the 25-man Premier League group - meaning he will likely not play football again until January at the earliest.

And now, Arsenal academy chief Mertesacker has blamed his personal life for his career stalling.

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Former Gunners captain Mertesacker told the Klick and Rush podcast: "A lot has changed away from the field.

";He got married, has a family... perhaps his focus has changed.

"Nevertheless, he is still happy and happy to play football.

"He's the only player I've played with for three teams - Bremen, Arsenal and also Germany.

"So I'm very sorry that he's currently in a situation where he's not really used."

Ozil was joined by Sokratis Papastathopoulos in being axed from the Europa League squad.

But Arteta admitted the door is not ompletely closed to the pair.

The boss said: "I spoke to them face to face before I released the squad and I explained the reason why the numbers that we had.

"It was really difficult to tell them that, but these are the restrictions and the rules.

"We have to respect that decision and try to train in the best possible way to help the team in that moment and see what happens in December."