Mesut Özil has been left out of Arsenal‘s squad to face Bayern Munich in the Champions League on Tuesday.
The Gunners go into the second leg of their last-16 tie 5-1 down on aggregate after a humiliating defeat at the Allianz Arena in February.
Özil missed Saturday’s 3-1 defeat by Liverpool through an illness, and Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger confirmed he has not recovered in time to face Bayern.
“He is not in the squad,” Wenger told media, as reported by Arsenal’s official website.
“He only had one session yesterday and he was sick – he was out the whole of last week and I don’t think he is ready physically to be in the squad. He should be okay for the weekend.”
Özil has contributed to nine league goals for Arsenal this season (five goals, four assists) but has only played a crucial part in one goal for the Gunners in 2017.
The German midfielder has come under scrutiny in recent weeks following poor performances, especially in Arsenal’s first leg loss against Bayern.
Özil created just one chance in Germany as Wenger’s men were blown away by the Bundesliga champions.
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