https://www.espn.com/soccer/arsenal/story/4214058/arsenals-mikel-arteta-on-mesut-ozil-axe-i-take-full-responsibility
However, speaking ahead of Arsenal's opening Europa League game at Rapid Vienna on Thursday night, Arteta said of Ozil's omission: "Honestly I take full responsibility. I have to be the one getting the best out of the players. It is my responsibility.
It is nothing related to any behaviour or, like I read, the pay cuts.
"It's not true. It's my decision, if someone has to blame me. And it will happen when we lose football matches -- my responsibility. I have to make the decision to get the best possible squad out there to win football matches and competitions as often as we can.
In order to do that I try to be fair with him or with any of the players in the squad and defend as much as possible the interests of the club.
"Everybody is free to express his feeling.
What I can say from my side is that it is just a football decision. My conscience is very calm because I have been really fair with him. My level of communication with him has been really high and we know what to expect with each other.
"When I believed that he could contribute to the team to be better - which is why I was hired to this football club, to win football matches and competitions, and create and build a project in the short, medium and long term -
he has had the opportunities like everybody else.
"I am sad that I had to leave three players out of this list, which is never pleasant, but I just have to say that I tried to look everybody in the eye and be comfortable with it. With Mesut I have this feeling because I have been very straightforward since I arrived at this club."



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