Mikel Arteta won’t follow Mesut Ozil’s Twitter Q&A on Arsenal future

Midfielder is expected to leave the north London club any day now

(Arsenal FC via Getty Images)

Arsenal coach Mikel Arteta has said he will not follow Mesut Ozil’s Twitter Q&A session on Monday evening as the midfielder prepares to address speculation around his future.

Ozil has not stepped out for the Gunners since March 2020 and is not part of the club’s Premier League and Europa League squads.

The former Germany international is expected to leave Arsenal this month, with Fenerbahce and MLS side DC United the most likely destinations for the 32-year-old.

READ MORE: Darkness of Ozil exit shouldn’t overshadow midfielder’s illuminating career

And Ozil seems set to provide an update on his “past, present and future” on Monday evening in a Twitter Q&A, though his coach said he would not be following along.

“I am sorry, but I don’t have Twitter, I don’t follow Twitter,” Arteta said.

“He’s done it in the past. It’s something he does to engage with his fans and keep everybody informed, so I’m not surprised.

“[Technical director] Edu and the club are having some conversations about the near future and long-term future. 

“When we know something, we will announce it.

“It’s always difficult to handle this situation when you are left out of the squad. It has been difficult for everyone to have players out of the squad. It wasn’t only him.

“You need [players] motivated, training well, being part of what we’re trying to do, and when they don’t feel like they can contribute to that, it’s always tricky. We have tried to manage that in the best possible way.”

Arsenal are next in action on Thursday, when they host Crystal Palace in the Premier League.

Arteta’s team are currently 11th in the table, having won three straight in the top flight after a poor run of form.

They were also victorious in the FA Cup last time out, defeating fellow Premier League outfit Newcastle 2-0 in the third round on Saturday.