Arsenal goalkeeper Bernd Leno has revealed that forgotten team-mate Mesut Ozil has remained both "absolutely professional" and "loyal" since being frozen out at the Emirates Stadium.
This season, the former Real Madrid midfielder has been left out of both Arsenal's Premier League and Europa League squads, indicating that he has no future remaining in north London.
Ozil has not played for the club since the UK was forced into its first full-scale national lockdown back in March, with his last outing being in the 1-0 home triumph over West Ham United on March 7.
Even though the former Germany international does not figure in Mikel Arteta's plans at the Emirates Stadium, he remains the club's highest earner, which continues to send shock waves through the football world when you take into account his absence from the team.
Despite his absence from the squad, Ozil has continued to train with his team-mates at the club's Cobham training base and goalkeeper Leno, who will be looking to help the Gunners seal a return to winning ways when they face Leeds United at Elland Road on Sunday afternoon, has admitted that the midfielder, who has been touted for a move to the MLS when his contract in north London expires next summer, has remained professional.
Leno told German outlet Bild, as quoted by the Metro: "Mesut is still a part of the team and trains with us. He is absolutely professional, both on the pitch and in the changing room.
"Obviously it’s a disappointing situation for him but Mesut handles it well and is absolutely loyal."
Recently, Gunners chief Arteta stood by his decision to freeze Ozil out of the picture at the Emirates Stadium, admitting that he had given him opportunities to get his Arsenal career back on track.
"What I can tell you that I tried my best, I tried to give him as many opportunities as I could," Arteta told Sky Sports. "And that from my own side, I’ve been patient, given him opportunities and been fair.
"He’s a player that belongs to a football club, he’s been a really important player in the last few seasons.
"I have to respect that, I’m here to make decisions, the best decisions for the team and for the club. This is what I try to do and then I have to explain them because people need the reasons and the right answers.
"I just give mine, whether they believe me or agree with me or not, there’s nothing I can do.
"But I have to put my decisions, with my heart and with my brain to make the right decisions that I believe are good."
Since joining Arsenal back in September 2013 for a fee just north of £40million, the midfielder, who turned 32 last month, has made 254 appearances for the club, scoring 44 goals and registering 77 assists.
