Mesut Ozil has 'mentally left' Arsenal already, says Martin Keown: 'He has downed tools, it's going to get messy'

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Mesut Ozil is so keen on quitting Arsenal that he has already 'mentally left the football club', according to Sportsmail's Martin Keown.

Ozil has been linked with a move to Manchester United among others next summer, as he nears the end of his contract at the Emirates.

And speaking to BBC Radio 5 Live, Mail columnist Keown said: 'I think he's testing Wenger more than any other player has. I think it was Belarus the other week, he didn't fancy going. He didn't want to go. 

Mesut Ozil has not played 90 minutes for Arsenal since the Bournemouth game last month

Martin Keown believes that Ozil has already downed tools and is preparing to leave Arsenal

'Suddenly he was injured again, he played nine minutes against West Bromwich Albion on the Monday, so how did he get injured there? 

'I think in some departments he's already left. Psychologically, mentally, he's already left the football club. Maybe Wenger is now trying to do the best deal he can to get some compensation for him.'

Ozil has found game-time hard to come by over the last month. He played every minute of the Gunners' first four matches, but has featured sparingly since.

He missed both Europa League matches, as well as a huge top-flight match against Chelsea, as Wenger begins to put his faith elsewhere. 

Keown believes the situation could get messy, with Ozil linked with a move to Manchester

The German midfielder was left out of both of Arsenal's Europa League matches last month

'I think [Wenger] doesn't want that sort of player around the youngsters in the group,' Keown continued. 'They played exceptionally well at Chelsea, where [Alex] Iwobi did a really manful job – I know he hasn't got the talent of Ozil, of course, but suddenly Arsenal could compete in both departments defensively and attacking-wise. It was probably the best performance I've seen in a couple of years. 

'I was really impressed and it seemed like every player was giving their best. Sanchez is different. He loves playing football, just give him a ball and he'll play and that's all he wants to do. But Ozil, I think he's downed tools, he wants to go and it's going to get messy.' 

Ozil is on Jose Mourinho's list of targets for next summer, when he will be available on a free transfer after his contract at the Emirates expires.

Ozil could move to Manchester United - he worked with Jose Mourinho previously in Madrid

But there are reservations at Old Trafford about signing Ozil, primarily surrounding his work rate and the wages he would demand if he were to make the switch. 

Mourinho worked with Ozil at Real Madrid and would be confident of convincing him to make the move to the North West.

The pair joined the Santiago Bernabeu club in the summer of 2010 and formed an impressive relationship. Ozil was highly trusted by Mourinho during his time in Spain.