Mesut Ozil has been given an extended break by manager Arsene Wenger to recharge his batteries following a difficult period with Arsenal, according to the Mirror.
Wenger gave the entire squad two days off following Saturday’s 4-1 Premier League victory over Sunderland, but for Ozil it is even longer.
The club record signing has returned to Germany to visit friends and family as a result, as the boss is keen for the attacking midfielder to get back to form following a difficult 2014 to date.
Many critics think that the 25-year-old is unused to the tough physical demands of English football, having enjoyed winter breaks whilst playing in both Germany and Spain.
Ozil was absent for the triumph over the Black Cats at the weekend, with Wenger citing a dead leg picked up during the Champions League defeat to Bayern Munich as the reasoning.
However, after missing a penalty against the Bundesliga champions and looking entirely demoralised as a result, many think the 64-year-old dropped the playmaker to protect him from further media scrutiny.
The Gunners’ next match is against Stoke City in the league on Saturday, a fixture that Ozil is expected to be involved in.
The Germany international arrived at the Emirates Stadium on transfer deadline day in the summer of 2013 following a £42.4m switch from Real Madrid.
The fee smashed the north Londoners’ previous record of £15m paid for Andrey Arshavin in 2009 and Ozil has since scored five goals and provided 12 assists in 35 appearances.