Mesut Ozil: Arsenal manager Unai Emery says midfielder has a future at club

Arsenal midfielder Mesut Ozil

Ozil, 30, has been linked with a move after being left out for “tactical” reasons in recent weeks.

The former Germany international, who joined Arsenal from Real Madrid in 2013, failed to make the bench for the midweek League Cup loss to Tottenham.

Asked if he still had a future with the Gunners, Emery said: “Yes, why not?”

Ozil has been troubled by a back injury in recent weeks and has started only one match since 11 November – a Europa League dead rubber at home to Qarabag.

Emery confirmed the club’s highest-paid player would be in the squad to face 18th-placed Burnley as the Gunners look to respond to defeats by Southampton – which ended a 22-match unbeaten run – and rivals Spurs, who won the League Cup quarter-final 2-0.

“I want every player with a good mentality to help us and give us their characteristics and quality,” Emery insisted. “We need Mesut Ozil.

“Every player wants to play and be OK to help the team when we need.

“The frustration is the same for everybody when they didn’t play in a match.

“But I spoke with him and with regularity in the season, telling him what we need from him and he has the commitment to help us and the quality and the characteristics to help us.”