Mesut Ozil has “embarrassed” the club by getting involved in controversial off-field matters, according to former Premier League striker Carlton Cole.
The German midfielder was left out of Mikel Arteta’s 25-man squad for the 2020/21 Premier League season this week, days after he was also omitted from the Europa League list.
Ozil has not played a single minute for Arsenal since March, with a series of off-field controversies making the headlines, including the midfielder releasing a statement on Wednesday to blame the club for a lack of loyalty.
And former West Ham and Chelsea forward Cole believes these distractions have embarrassed the club and contributed to Ozil's demise at the Emirates.
Cole told talkSPORT: “Is he a luxury player? Yeah, he is a luxury player, and does Arteta want that in his team at the moment?
“I think he wants hardworking players that can attack, and actually defend from the front too.
“It’s difficult, but at the same time, he hasn’t helped himself off the pitch as well, getting into being an activist almost, getting into politics where the views might not align with the club’s.
“Even the Gunnersaurus thing, that was going against the board. Obviously they made a decision, and he’s come from nowhere saying ‘I’m going to do this’.
“It kind of embarrasses the club a little bit. A combination of stuff.”
Speaking ahead of Arsenal's clash with Rapid Wien, a game Ozil is not eligible to play in, Arteta admitted that leaving the German out of his squad was not an easy decision.
“I am sad that I have to leave three players out of this list which is never pleasant,” he said.
“I have to say that I try to look everybody in the eye and be comfortable with it.
“With Mesut I have this feeling because I was being very straightforward since I arrived at this club.”
