Ozil is not fit often enough at Arsenal warns Mertesacker as former captain explains why Emery leaves the playmaker out

MESUT OZIL is not fit enough to play for Arsenal, according to Per Mertesacker – and the former captain has explained why Unai Emery keeps leaving the playmaker out of the team.

The Gunners’ Academy chief, 34, admitted he has tried everything under the sun to try to motivate Ozil, but failed to get through to him.

Mertesacker claims Emery requires a certain level of fitness from his Arsenal stars – and the German playmaker is way off the pace.

The former Arsenal skipper claimed: “I hope Mesut can get fit. Unai requires a certain fitness level.

“Unai is fair to everyone. You need to deliver a certain fitness level – then you are available to play. Unai tries to get through to him.

“He talks to him, saying: ‘You need to train to a certain level every day – I need you to be fit – otherwise you are not going to play.’

“That’s what I’ve seen. He puts him in the squad but then leaves him on the bench. If he trains to the level that’s required, he can play.

“Personally, I’m in favour of that. When Mesut is fit, he is one of our best players.

“He needs to be in there. We need to build the team around him and make him stronger.”

But Mertesacker went on to say it won’t be that simple – admitting he has no idea how to motivate Ozil.

The German continued: “It’s his personality, he doesn’t take it personally. I don’t know what the trigger is. I had my go.

“I’ve tried very hard to be close, to stay away from him… sometimes I’ve given him a shout, sometimes not. He was OK with everything.

“It’s about Mesut himself. He can deliver for us. I gave him the feeling I trusted him on the pitch. I knew in pressure situations, I could give him the ball.

“He has talent. Now it’s up to others to unlock it.”

Even before hitting out at his lack of fitness, Mertesacker had recently revealed he used to get “p***ed off” with Ozil over his attitude.