Mesut Ozil has been left out of the matchday squad of Arsene Wenger's last game in charge of Arsenal at the Emirates against Burnley.
The French boss has said the German has a slight back injury, but many others have pointed to Ozil's lacklustre performance in Arsenal's crucial second-leg semi-final tie against Atletico Madrid. It was the Gunner's last chance to claim any silverware for the last season with Wenger, but they went out to a single goal from Diego Costa.
"He wasn't fit to wear the shirt for me tonight, and I have seen this a lot this season." Former Gunner defender Martin Keown said of his performance via BBC Sport
"I haven't been happy with him for some time," he said of the 29-year-old. "It seems as though he picks and chooses his games. He was on the edge of things."
"That is not a proper performance. He isn't giving everything and there is a lot more under the bonnet. We expect better from him. He is a World Cup winner."
Ozil has been a polarising figure among Arsenal fans since his move from Real Madrid. He is perhaps the most talented individual to have played at the north London side since Thierry Henry, but it's been said that tends to go missing in some matches, usually against big opponents and in the important matches, such as the Gunners' second leg against Atletico.
It could be argued that Ozil is a personification of Arsenal during Wenger's latter years. Brimming with talent, but just lacking that cutting edge, that hardened mentality that saw Wenger win so many league titles with them before. Perhaps that's unfair. Perhaps the former Real Madrid was just among several players with a lack of vigour, and he entered and submerged himself in an already brittle culture. But as one of the most talented players, he has seemed to bear the brunt of the responsibility.
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