Mesut Ozil shirt not in dressing room: The midfielder’s shirt was nowhere to be seen in the Arsenal’s dressing room.
Arsenal are set to play against Tottenham in the North London derby later tonight. This would be the season’s first derby between the two sides.
The Gunners have a chance to go on level at points with Tottenham with a win over their rivals tonight. Tottenham are currently 3rd in the table, while Arsenal are fifth.
Unai Emery has been known for making bold decisions, and he did take one last week, when he dropped Mesut Ozil to the bench for the game against Bournemouth. The midfielder didn’t make an appearance in the game at all.
Many pundits discussed the role Mesut Ozil could play in the North London derby, but it seems as if Emery has taken yet another brave call for the game.
Mesut Ozil’s shirt not in dressing room:
English media outlet Sky reported from inside the Arsenal dressing room ahead of the game. Pundits Gary Neville and Geoff Shreeves were inside the dressing room, and noted the absence of Mesut Ozil’s shirt.
While Mkhitaryan, Torriera and Xhaka’s shirts were there, Mesut Ozil’s shirt was nowhere to be found in the room. Gary Neville later stated that there’s a huge chance of player to be dropped for the game.
“I wouldn’t be surprised [if Ozil has been left out again],’ said Neville. “Unai Emery is working his players out now.”
“There are a couple of players who are going to play less and less minutes, and have less and less influence at this football club because they’re not on the journey he wants to go on,” the former Manchester United defender added.
Mesut Ozil has started in 10 Premier League games for Arsenal under Unai Emery, but was dropped against Bournemouth last weekend. Emery later stated that the game required physicality when asked about the absence of the former German international.
What next?
After the game against Tottenham, Arsenal will be up against Manchester United in the mid-week clash on Wednesday. Manchester United are currently seventh in the Premier League, and drew 2-2 at Southampton.
