Mesut Ozil has been handed the latest indicator that his days at Arsenal may be numbered, with the news that he hasn’t been registered for Arsenal’s 25-man squad for the upcoming Europa League campaign.

The news comes after Ozil offered to pay the full salary of Jerry Quy, the man responsible for portraying Arsenal’s iconic mascot Gunnersaurus for the last 27 years after he was let go by the club earlier this week. The German is the highest paid player in the club’s history, currently earning a reported £350,000 a week.

As per the rules, a maximum of 17 “non locally trained” players are allowed out of 25 in a squad. Arsenal currently have 19. As a result, Greek international Sokratis has also been left out along with the German. Young centre-back William Saliba – brought in this summer after spending last season on loan at previous club Saint-Etienne, and Martinelli, who is currently ruled out with a serious injury, miss out as well.

Even though Ozil has lost his place in the side, he made it clear that he will honour his contract and won’t leave before next summer. Besides, Arsenal failed to ship out Sokratis, who was heavily linked to Napoli.

Leaving Ozil out of the Europa League group stage, where fringe players get a chance to play, leaves a sour taste.

Arsenal kick off their Europa League campaign with a trip to Austria to face Rapid Vienna on October 22^nd, before ties against Dundalk and Molde.

Photo Credit: Ronnie MacDonald, ronniemacdonald@gmail.com, Flickr