Mesut Ozil given break by Arsenal manager Wenger

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger has given star midfielder Mesut Ozil an extended leave of absence in an effort to recharge his batteries. The German international has struggled in recent games and looks short of form.

Ahead of Arsenal's visit to Stoke City this weekend, Arsenal coach Arsene Wenger has decided to again leave Ozil out of the first team squad and has been given time to recover from a small niggle sustained against Bayern Munich.

The Gunners won their last game against Sunderland 4-1 without their talisman midfielder, and Arsenal are now set to travel to Stoke City without the German star.

It is understood that Serge Gnabry will be taking some kind of responsibility against Stoke as the Gunners look to rotate their squad for the remaining 11 Premier League games.