Unai Emery on not playing Ozil: The Arsenal manager provided a reason for not playing Mesut Ozil against Bournemouth.
Arsenal secured three points in their league game against Bournemouth last night. Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang was on target as he scored the winner for the Gunners against the hosts, as Arsenal move closer to the top-4.
While Arsenal remain at fifth position in the league, Unai Emery’s side is now only one point behind Chelsea, who lost 3-1 to Tottenham at Wembley on Saturday.
Arsenal led in the game through an own goal by Jefferson Lerma, before Joshua King equalled the scoreline at the brink of halftime. Aubameyang then converted a delightful low cross from Kolasinac to regain the lead for Arsenal.
However, many Arsenal fans questioned the absence of Mesut Ozil from the game yesterday. The German midfielder was a substitute for the match, but wasn’t brought on throughout the game. Unai Emery gave the reason for his absence.
Unai Emery on Ozil’s absence:
Unai Emery stated that the game demanded physicality and intensity, when asked about the decision to drop Mesut Ozil.
“We thought how we can do better in the match, a very demanding match with physicality and intensity,” Emery said.
Ramsey and Ozil getting benched. Would be the first names on the teamsheet under AW. Not saying what is Emery is doing is right, but he’s ruthless. Doesn’t care about big names. Its always the team. Having said that, we need to put in a good performance today. 3 points must.
— LTArsenal™️ (@ltarsenal) November 25, 2018
However, the Arsenal manager also insisted that every player is important to the squad.
Emery on Ozil: “We thought how we could be better in the matches today. Very demanding matches with physical intensity. Every player is important.”
— Chris Wheatley (@ChrisWheatley_) November 25, 2018
“But every player is important. In the beginning of the season we were speaking every day about the need to be competitive,” he added.
The relationship between Unai Emery and Mesut Ozil has been reportedly on the rocks ever since the arrival of the manager. The Arsenal manager, however, has denied these claims on multiple occasions.
Arsenal are missing their two main players who can keep the ball. Ozil and Lacazette. Nobody seems to be passing the ball around, waiting for openings except Torreira.
— P™ (@Cechque) November 25, 2018
His reason to not bring Ozil on as a substitute against Bournemouth might reflect on what he perceives of the German midfielder.
Huge Ozil fan, but benching him is the right decision for me. The only formation he starts in is 4-2-3-1 and that too as only the #10. He’s not great out wide and is not defensively sound to play as the #6. System >>> Individual.
— LTArsenal™️ (@ltarsenal) November 25, 2018
What next?
Arsenal will return to Europa League on Thursday as they take on Vorskla. Unai Emery’s side will then meet Tottenham in season’s first North London derby, where a win can bring them level with Mauricio Pochettino’s side.
A loss, however, would widen the gap between the two teams to six points.
