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Unai Emery would ‘love’ to sell this Arsenal star - Steve Nicol
ARSENAL boss Unai Emery would love to get Mesut Ozil off the wage bill - but that will not happen this summer.
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That is the opinion of ESPN FC pundit and former Liverpool defender Steve Nicol.
Mesut Ozil has been in and out of the Arsenal side this season.
The Germany international has often suffered with injury and illness but has also been left out for tactical reasons.
Ozil has started the last three matches in all competitions though, helping the Gunners to three straight wins.
I’m sure they’d love to [sell Ozil] but it’s not going to happen
When asked if Ozil would leave Arsenal this summer, Nicol claimed Emery would want to get shot of the 30-year-old.
However, he cannot see any club matching his £350,000-a-week wages.
“I’m sure they’d love to [sell Ozil] but it’s not going to happen for that very reason [his wages],” Nicol said.
“Plus you add the fact that he’s not a regular starter.
“So no, he goes nowhere, that’s a miss.”
Nicol was also asked about the future of Ozil’s team-mate Henrikh Mkhitaryan.
And he reckons the Armenian’s versatility means he is a more valuable asset on the pitch than Ozil.
“No I don’t think they can [shift Mkhitaryan],” Nicol said.
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“Not quite so much to do with the money for me.
“Mkhitaryan, he can play in a few roles for me.
“He can play in a wide position, he can also play off the front guy if Unai Emery wants to do that, which he’s capable of changing, Emery.
“So I think this also is a miss.”