Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta has offered Mesut Ozil an olive branch.
Gunners midfielder Ozil, 31, the club's top earner on £350,000-a-week, could not even make the bench and 20 man squad for Wednesday's defeat at Manchester City. Arteta rang Ozil before the City game to tell him that he would not be included because he did not think he was sharp enough and wanted more from him.
Arteta said: “What I need from him is what he has given me on the pitch when I have started him in most of the games. That's all. From that bar up.
“My conversations with Mesut will remain between me and him. What I can tell you is that it was a completely fine, honest and clear conversation. That's it. He was very well with me. There were no issues at all.
“There's a lot that's happened to him in the last few weeks and I have to respect the time for every player. I'm the first one who wants Mesut at the best. I'm going to put him on the pitch when I think he can give his best."
