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Mikel Arteta wants Mesut Ozil and Matteo Guendouzi to do their best for Arsenal.


Granit Xhaka has turned his fortunes around at Arsenal. [Getty]
Granit Xhaka has turned his fortunes around at Arsenal. [Getty]

Mesut Ozil and Matteo Guendouzi should learn from Granit Xhaka if they are keen to continue their careers with Arsenal, says Mikel Arteta.


Both Ozil and Guendouzi have been left out of the Gunners' side that have just registered six wins in their last eight games, however, Arteta insists they'll need to follow Xhaka's pattern if they want to continue plying their trades at the Emirates.


Xhaka's future at Emirates Stadium looked to be in doubt after he was stripped of the captaincy in November for reacting angrily towards the Gunners fans who booed him when he was substituted.


"The challenge with Granit was to convince him that there was still a place for him here - that I had big belief in him and that things can turn around pretty quickly in this industry," Arteta explained to reporters ahead of Tuesday's Premier League clash with Aston Villa.


"He had to send the right messages. First of all, he had to believe that he could do it and if that was the case, we were going to support him all the way through.


"I'm really glad to hear and sense the reaction from the fans towards him, I think they can appreciate what he's done. That's in the past, there's a lot of positives to take from difficult situations and we all learn from that.


"He's a really good example for any player that is in a difficult moment that if you are willing, consistent and really want to do it generally, I think there's always a way back."


Ozil hasn't played for Arsenal since March. [Getty]
Ozil hasn't played for Arsenal since March. [Getty]

Ozil has not been involved since March, before football came to a halt due to the COVID-19 outbreak and his teammate midfielder Guendouzi has not played a game since confronting Brighton and Hove Albion players in a 2-1 loss on June 20.


Asked whether Xhaka could be considered an example for those two, Arteta replied: "That applies for any player, and any member of the staff.


"If you really show that then you're deciding to do the best, not for yourself, but for the team and for the club, I think everybody will welcome you.


"It's not just me that has to give the green light. It's everybody that has to be supportive and you need to feel as well that support from everybody because if not it's a very uncomfortable situation."



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