Arsenal are set to renew their efforts to get rid of Mesut Ozil having failed to sell him during the summer transfer window.
The playmaker, who earns £350,000-a-week, has been frozen out at Arsenal by manager Mikel Arteta, with his most recent Gunners appearance coming in a 1-0 defeat of West Ham in March.
Ozil is no longer wanted at Arsenal with the club desperate to offload him
He has not made a matchday squad so far this season as the club failed to offload him during the international summer transfer window.
Arsenal hope to either sell Ozil when the transfer window reopens in January, or they plan to pay him off so his contract is cancelled before its scheduled expiration next summer.
But Ozil on Tuesday made a smart move which gives him power in negotiations, as he offered to pay Gunnersaurus salary at the club.
The official club mascot was made redundant after 27 years of service as part of cost-cutting measures at the Emirates.
But Ozil made a passionate intervention to ensure Gunnersaurus, played by Jerry Quy, stays put.
news
Man City Twitter gone, Wilshere Arsenal claim, Cavani debut vs PSG, Anderson on future
gone
Man City appear to be suspended by Twitter and mocked by fans as account disappears
TEAM
Arsenal’s exciting midfield after completing Partey deadline day transfer
Royal confidence
Akinfenwa backs himself against tough Liverpool ace and ‘calls out’ Traore
icon
How many goals Cristiano Ronaldo needs to become top scoring international of all time
Goss
Arsenal news live: Partey adds to wage bill concern, solution to stop paying Ozil
goss
Man United news: Why Dembele move collapsed, Cavani out to avoid curse, Lingard exit
business
Man United’s bad window, Spurs shine, while West Ham player’s response said it all
DEVELOPMENT
Liverpool ahead of Man United’ in Sancho race after blowing chance to sign him
Confident
‘100 per cent we can win the Premier League’ – Spurs fan makes bold prediction
He tweeted: I was so sad that Jerry Quy aka our famous & loyal mascot @Gunnersaurus and integral part of our club was being made redundant after 27 years.
As such, Im offering to reimburse @Arsenal with the full salary of our big green guy as long as I will be an Arsenal player.
So Jerry can continue his job that he loves so much. #JusticeForGunnersaurus #M1Ö #YaGunnersYa.
In a brief response, an Arsenal spokesman said: Gunnersaurus is not extinct and will return to action when fans are allowed back at matches.
Adrian Durham thinks it would be ‘perfect’ for Jack Wilshere to move back to Arsenal
Despite his first-team exile, Ozil is adamant he will not leave until his contract expires next year.
In August, he said: My position is clear. Im here through to the last day of our agreement and Ill give everything I have for this club.
Ill decide when I go, not other people. I didnt sign for two or three years, I signed for four and that should be respected by everyone.
Things have obviously been difficult but I love Arsenal, I love to work there, I love the people in the club the real people, those Ive been with for a long time and I love London, its my home.
Whatever happened in the last two seasons, Im happy and very strong mentally. I never give up on anything. I want to help my team and Ill fight for it. If Im fit, I know what I can do on the pitch.