Martin Keown believes Arsenal playmaker Mesut Ozil “will be gone” in January amid reported interest from Manchester United.
The 29-year-old German international present deal at the Emirates expires next summer and he’s not shown any signs of wanting to remain in north London beyond this season.
His contract situation aside, Ozil made headlines after missing a big chance in the Gunners recent defeat to Watford, with Keown interpreting the moment as him checking out.
“The top players are ruthless and they don’t play for fun. I don’t know if he’s got that ruthlessness in his makeup,” he told BT Sport.
“That ball has got to be in the back of the net. That should be game over, Arsenal have won the game.
“People might think I’m gunning for him, but you’ve got to be clinical in those situations.
“Is he really bothered? He’s just missed a chance to win a game for Arsenal.”
“Everything that happens afterwards wouldn’t have happened. I don’t know if he cares enough or not but he’s certainly not ruthless enough,” he added.
“He had a gilt-edged opportunity to wrap up proceedings today and he didn’t take it.
“There’s only one outcome here. When it comes to January surely Mesut Ozil will be gone.
“I’d keep [Alexis] Sanchez through to the end of the season because surely he is their best chance of getting into the Champions League.”
Ozil joined the Gunners from Real Madrid in 2013, where he played under United boss Jose Mourinho, for a reported £42 million.
To date, the World Cup winner, has featured 167 times under Arsene Wenger producing 32 goals and 57 assists – with the 2015/16 season being his most productive.
His 19 assists across 35 league games saw him fall just one short of the Premier League record held by the aforementioned Henry.
In fact since arriving in English football no player has created more goals (42) or chances (407) than Ozil.
So far this season he’s the Gelsenkirchen-born footballer has featured in all but two of Arsenal’s opening eight Premier League outings but is yet to be involved in a goal.
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