Friday, March 29, 2024

Emery: Other players deserved to be in the squad ahead of Mesut Ozil

For the second game in succession, Mesut Ozil was not included in the Arsenal squad. He was expected to be in the team for the Europa League clash with Standard Liege, but wasn’t even on the bench.

Whatever about a trip to Old Trafford and it’s suitability for the German, a home game against lower calibre opposition is basically perfect for him. Instead, he wasn’t even on the bench, and Unai Emery’s explanation afterwards was quite pointed.

Pressed on the absence of the £350,000 a week man, the Arsenal boss said, “I am thinking every time to decide the best players for each match and the best players in the squad to play and to help us.

“When I decided he shouldn’t be in the squad it’s because I think other players deserved it more.”

And on what he needs to get to get back into consideration, he continued, “He needs to continue working.

“Tomorrow we have training with the players who didn’t play, and on Sunday we have another match, and we are going to decide the same.

“Our target is to win on Sunday against Bournemouth, and we want to carry on our same way in each match.”

It does sound as if there’s been some kind of breakdown in the relationship between the manager and Ozil, after a kind of uneasy truce had been found in the second half of last season.

Emery named him as one of his five captains, but as ever with a player of that stature, when he’s left out in such circumstances, it creates a talking point.

In the end, Arsenal didn’t miss him as the young Guns ran riot, spanking four past the Belgians, but this isn’t the kind of story that goes away, so expect more on this in the days and weeks to come. We’ll leave it up to you to decide if that’s going to be healthy or not.

For more on last night’s game, check out today’s Arseblog: Arsenal 4-0 Standard Liege: Fun times with weapons

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Hi-brid

I like Emery’s honesty in that answer, but he ought to have had the courage of his convictions when naming his five captains too.

Screamer

Weren’t the voted for by the players?

anonarse

It’s claimed to be at least. But it’s very strange to have a vote which potentially puts him as the number one captain if you have no intentions to use him at all.

A P

It was a combination of both the players’ votes AND Emery’s input. In that case, one wouldn’t know how the outcome differed from the votes, if the votes were confidential.

anonarse

Do you know if all players was in the pool? Could they have voted for Ceballos and Saka e.g.?

Ashish Mann

Or vote for almunia just for fun. Bantz

scythavatar

He’s not the number one captain though…………. he’s the number five captain which he probably deserves just from his seniority.

The Far Post

Unfortunate dirty laundry on display 🙁

Allowing the players to vote for the captains provided Emery the cover he needed to select Xhaka, but it also exposed him to naming Ozil as a co-captain he has little trust in.

Dave

Seems like a bit of a protest vote by the players.

gus

What Honesty? Hes a prat in my opinion who has no balls,he has an ego issue , if he doesn’t like the player he doesn’t play him and will force him out of the club. Ozil will walk into most teams and be given the role to create and make things happen, he has a world cup winners medal and played at the highest level with real madrid ,yet maitland- niles deserves it more(and im a big fan of the kid), pull the other one you lying donkey of a coach. I have supported this club for nearing 30 years… Read more »

Sebastian

“He has a world cup winners medal and played at the highest level with real madrid” – you’re right. It was ages ago.

Eternal Titi Berg Pat Nostalgia

Gus, I sincerely do not like the treatment Ozil is getting but all of your Ozil is this and that and can do this and that are hollow words.

joe

“If it wasn’t for the striking prowess of Auba and lacazette (both signed under arsene’s watch) we will definelty end up as Everton FC harping back at the good old days.” I dunno. with martinelli, saka, nelson, smith-rowe, guendouzi, willock, tierney, bellerin, holding, and chambers we have a whole 11 of really promising players who are 24 and under (not even mentioning a.m.n., who can sub in all over the pitch for almost any of those players, or pepe, who is also 24) i feel positive about our future even if i’m not thrilled with how emery is managing the… Read more »

Jack4343

Before I opened the comments, I was curious to find out how many posts would be made before someone called Emery a donkey. In case your were also, the answer is 10.

networth

At arsenal we don’t sack coaches like Chelsea,man u or crystal palace. Emery wants to play attacking football which is our identity. He would rather win 6-5 than lose 1-0 trying to play defensive. He has won 3 Europa and 2 ligue1. Far better than what Wenger did his whole arsenal career. Emery has done super recruitment and getting rid of non performing big names. You sound like a Spurs fan by the way. Trust your coach. If you think coaches are out there, go try Allegri or Mourinho.

Mintoes

@gus pull your head out your arse…Ozil has given us practically nothing last 3 years…couldn’t give a fuck about the club…happy to sit in the reserves and take home the biggest pay check in the club. And when he does start he does fuck all as usual. And forget trying to play him north of the Watford gap…that’s when it’s sniffles time again and suddenly he’s “injured”. Total disgrace of a player. Holy shit at least mustafi is willing to make the best of a bad situation and give 100% in the cup games and in training. Can’t say the… Read more »

Almunia4Pires

The fact that Arsenal play with no identity, style or direction has absolutely nothing to do with not using a 30 year old player disinterested in his own job that has been steadily declining and has now reached deadwood levels. Especially when you have a crop of young, talented, hungry players coming up.

Dom47

@almunira, best comment, right on point!

Yellow Ribbon

Xhaka over Ozil is how Emery sees football. Get him out.

Santi’s Flip Flop

Difficult comment to vote for, because I agree Emery should probably go – but I also want Ozil too leave.

joe

from a value for money perspective shedding ozil seems to make sense, but only because emery won’t play him.

i think, especially with the other talent we have, a good coach could integrate ozil and have both him and the club ticking over really well. ozil wants runners, and we finally have them, but emery won’t let him loose to play in those runners.

MSPgoon

This. this. exactly this. Put Ozil in the right system with the right players and you can tear teams apart (and not only that, but tear them apart in style). Put him in the wrong system and he’s a liability.

I dunno. I love Ozil, partly because when he’s at his fluid best, it’s such a joy to watch. Do people want to return to 1-0 to the Arsenal?

Dave Cee

I would agree if Ozil had Been anywhere near his fluid best since we signed him. But he hasn.t. He is a mirage. I.m with Unai on this one. It isn.t nice to see a once excellent player humiliated, but he has brought it on himself with his weak performances unfortunately

Mpls

I’ll start this by saying I don’t think Ozil has been on any kind of consistent form for some time. But I will also say, I can’t recall the last time we were set up in a way that we can get the best out of He has been going through a few years of left wing, right wing, set up with a giant hole behind him in midfield, no runners, etc etc etc. And not only him. This goes for several other players as well, including Torreira and Xhaka. Emery played Torreira in his more natural position, and look… Read more »

Drew

Dude, since we signed him?? He was absolutely amazing in his first 2-3 seasons.

Misfit

Mate, even a 1-0 to the Arsenal isn’t happening right now 😐

xjert02

Spot on. Thursday match was exactly that kind of opportunity for playing him. Mixture of experienced players and enthusiasm of youth.

networth

Go where? He is not going anywhere. He has a project which looks better and brighter everyday. Captaincy is a non issue to Emery. He has better things to think about.

Ric

Stupid comment

Public Elneny

Could you see Ozil playing defensive midfield? Xhaka being selected too often doesn’t mean Ozil is selected too little

Xhaka and Ozil both have good points and bad points. Neither suit the high intensity of the premier league, but are too content to move to a league that suits their strengths.

Emery is doing a good thing by sidelining Ozil, but a bad thing by making Xhaka a cornerstone of our strongest xi. There is no connection to be made between the two decisions.

Gavin Binding

I actually think Ozil could do a Santi.

joe

“Xhaka being selected too often doesn’t mean Ozil is selected too little” disagree. with two mobile, defensively sound midfielders behind him (guendouzi and torreira, with willock rotating in) and any 3 of our potential strikers/wingers (auba, laca, pepe, saka, martinelli, nelson) ozil would be really potent, but i think he can’t play with xhaka behind him because having *two* players who don’t “suit the high intensity of the premier league,” as you put it, leaves us at too much of a disadvantage, and emery clearly prefers xhaka to ozil. his reasoning i can only guess at, and if my guess… Read more »

Hurensohn

You’re talking about the Ozil of 3 or 4 years ago… He doesn’t exist. Ozil hasn’t hit double figures for goals or assists in the League since 2015/16 and even when he’s producing end product the rest of the team must carry his lack of defensive workrate.

How do you say to your players – “I want 100% effort from all of you, expect Ozil …because he used to be good” .. You can’t.

Reality check

I think he wanted to lower the average age on the pitch, which was just above 22 last night..

Baron van Pervie

Hold up. This is what Emery has me thinking. Is Ozil still for sale? Is it possible an MLS club is planning to buy him in January? Misgivings about Xhaka aside, the way Emery is handling Ozil might be about something else entirely.

Drew

Your argument falls down when he plays Mustafi who has been publicly told he can leave.

Jack4343

Xhaka and Paul don’t even play the same position. I guess viewing every midfielder as the same kind of player is how you see football.

Jack4343

Paul = Ozil is evidently how my autocorrect sees Ozil. (and you know I had to fix it saying Paul 10 times in this very post before I got it right.)

Sagebrush Farm

That’s the funniest farce I ever noticed, can’t remember Ozil making a mistake that led to a goal against. I remember a lot from Xhaka, the most painful being against Brighton towards the end of last season. For me.

shaka

Ozil is great if you want to unlock parked defenses or if you want to play one touch pass and move football.

Emery parks the bus himself even against the likes of Brighton..so no need of Ozil. As for one touch football, he plays 3 DM midfield, none of whom can pass without 2-3 touches

Goonergeoffers

Fucking madness…Emery is a complete fool

HelderHughes

Imagine having a classroom of children and one is refusing to do the work, disobeying your command and questioning your authority in front of the other kids.

But you can’t send him home or to the headmasters office. So you don’t let them go on the school trips.

Ozil got away with it under Wenger as he was teachers pet but Emery isn’t standing for it. I’ve got to say, I’m not a huge fan of Emery, but if Ozil is turning up halfhearted and half arsed then that’s not Arsenal and he doesn’t play.

Vonnie

We now have a coach who likes to think of himself as a teacher, that doesn’t mean our training ground is now a kindergarten. If this, if that, if you stopped fantasising and cut out the ifs you’d realise that you’ve just posted nonsense.

Alex

Not necessarily. Coaches have made allowances for their top performers for as long as I can remember. So imagine your disobedient kid is also has grades which put him in the top 11 in the world.

Give me 5 chances for our team and you can have an extra milkshake and if Xhaka or someone else doesn’t like it, they can have a milkshake too when they do it.

Hurensohn

Top performers is the key part of that sentence Alex. There are 4 or 5 players consistently better than Ozil week in week out.. Do they get to take it easy when we lose the ball too?

A P

And how would you know that?

StuArse

What about if one kid was rubbish at science but an amazing poet or musician? Would you make them do biology all the time?
That’s somewhere I think both Emery and our education system aren’t working. Trying to make people they are not (or play in a way or positions they can’t).

Hurensohn

Look, the issue is clearly Ozil. When Messi and Kevin De Bruyne can put in the hard yards and help their team mates out while at the same time produce far more than Ozil ever has, why can’t Ozil just put a shift in like everyone else? Why should he get a free ride when far better players than him don’t get one? You can complain all you want about how Emery shouldn’t expect a level of effort from a professional footballer because he’s never really tried that hard in the past but it doesn’t wash. Ozil should want to… Read more »

Hurensohn

wants*

A Different George

Here’s a simpler explanation: Emery does not like to use players like Ozil, the ownership want to get rid of Ozil because of his wages, and nothing Ozil does–however brilliantly he plays in his limited time or how hard he works in training–will change that.

We have no idea what Ozil does in training or his attitude–but I don’t believe it matters. Classless. The same club that treated Diaby and Santi with the respect they were due, is intentionally humiliating Ozil.

Hurensohn

If Ozil was playing well and adding value to the team they would bend over backward to shoehorn him into the team. £350k per week playing well on the pitch is better than £350k sat a home.

You just said they paid wages for players who couldn’t play for the badge due to injury. They wouldn’t have a problem paying Ozils wage if he wasn’t fit either. Ozil isn’t injured though, so what’s his excuse? There’s no logic to your comment.

A Different George

The more I think about the way we treated players like Diaby and Santi compared to how we act now, the more I realize that, whatever his other weaknesses at the end, it was Arsene Wenger who kept this club true to its principles.

xjert02

It is not the same AFC w/ this kind of values.

shaka

last season they did the same to Ramsey, so its a pattern. Leave or be maligned.

Samu

the 300k can be split and given to our two strikers we oh so rely on and need to update their contracts

C.B.

Wenger out!!!

Whoops, ….Emery out!!!

C.B.

Or:

[Current Arsenal manager*] out!!!

*Insert as appropriate.

RedHotHornBlower

Spin the propellors on the Chipmunk, launch another Loony Tunes banner (Current Arsenal Manager) Out! But be careful what you ask for you might get (Insert most catastrophic arrival as Arsenal Manager).

House of Goons

Allegri is out of work right now. Just saying.

Gutbukkit Deffrolla

…and Man United may need a new coach very soon. I think he’d rather go there and become a hero than come to us, assuming he thinks he’s as great as everybody else seems to.

mc1892

I’m an Ozil fan (or at least was) but how people can decide this when they’ve not seen what’s going on behind the scenes is bizarre. If he’s not working as hard or performing as well in training as the youngsters- which given their performances last night and Ozil’s in the last year or two really isn’t all that unlikely- then he’s absolutely right. I’m by no means completely sold on Emery but accommodating Ozil if he’s not pulling his weight would be detrimental to everything he’s trying to do.

mc1892

And to add to this- perhaps Emery isn’t a manager of high enough calibre for Arsenal, but you can be damn sure that to get to where he has in his career that there’s no way he’d freeze out a talent as great as Ozil if there wasn’t reason to do so.

gus

bullshit, thats why he selected a crocked and unfit dennis suarez over him last year against man city, he has an ego issue ,

A Different George

A crocked and unfit Dennis Suarez who also had arrived earlier that same week, and had trained with the team once. Emery had given up on that game–the same attitude we saw at Old Trafford last weekend.

Matt P

Excellent comment. We just don’t know what’s happening. If Ozil isn’t pulling his weight, then Emery is absolutely to pick players over him who are.
Emery clearly hasn’t got time for prima donnas. I like that about him.

Nofuture

Really? Really is not pulling his weight? Last game he played he had most key passes, good game owerall but still substituted. No, it’s just Emery picking up on him. So sad.

mjc1892

I can’t believe how short people’s memories are. I kept my patience with Ozil as long as possible but he’s no longer worth a spot on the team sheet. The game you refer to was against Notts Forest. Why would we bother playing him against teams we should be rolling over when we could blood the youngsters and plan for the future? I’ve been waiting and hoping for his resurgence (he was comfortably my favourite player after he demolished us in the World Cup and I followed his career from then on) but he’s done. If he cared enough he’d… Read more »

Nofuture

Yeah, waiting for resurgence. He plays well and immediately being punished for that. Let’s simply agree this manager has no ability to get the best from one of most talented and creative players in Europe.

I reminds me of similar story about shity manager and Juan Mata. Do you think it was a players problem or managers stubornes?

Dave Cee

Perhaps Ozil sulked and didn’t train well after being subbed? I don’t know, but it is a possibility. If he did, then why reward him with a game when others deserve it more? It is all conjecture, but I believe the performance and result justify Unai.s selection

Clockendrider

This.

Henrypiresberg

Unai Emery is liar and a fraud.

ToucanSam

That’s harsh. I love this club and at times I am as frustrated with the state of things as the next fellow, but I would never refer to ANYONE presently doing their best for the club in those terms.

Shame on you.

Almond

So blunt pal, relax it’s just football

Wizzy

Fraud gang in the building!!!

mc1892

Where has this sudden influx of personal insults come from towards Emery? Jesus, he’s not bludgeoning puppies to death and stealing the food off of orphans plates. Seems like a nice enough guy and I think genuinely cares about the club.

Alex

He better not be!!

Dog Poo

Some of the comments made by people here are baffling to say the least. They talk as if they know what’s going on in Emery’s mind, what’s going on in Ozil’s mind, like they have any idea on the whole situation. Hell, they talk as if they know everything and make all kinds of assumptions. So bizarre.

chepetin

I say that we let Henrypiresberg speak. Everyone’s got a different opinion and we should respect that. Now, Henrypiresberg has said that UE is a liar and a fraud. We’d all like to hear the evidence. If the statement can’t be justified, then we all know who the fraud is.

Alex

No it wouldn’t. It’s detrimental if Özil doesn’t give you chances and assists. You can (to an extent) treat people who perform differently differently.

Lula

mc1892
A reasonable view. Ozil was my favourite player for a long time. But he had an attitude issue under Wenger and he does now under Emery. I’m bot sold on Emery but I support him on this. If you want any player to believe in what you’re trying to.do you cannot let players walk all over you.

Gutbukkit Deffrolla

Attitude problem under Wenger? Are you basing this on knowledge rather than malicious gossip and conjecture. Explain, with examples of an evidentiary nature.

Sagebrush Farm

That he is.

Twatsloch

I wonder who will be the last man standing? Ozil or Emery? Logic says it’ll be Ozil seeing Emery off if things don’t improve in the PL. Should be anyway.

Elrond Half-Elven

No manager worth his salt would be using Ozil in any competing team.
he’s done here.

Alex

Love the nuance!

Rob67

This is true. And he only has himself to blame. What is self evident is the Club should move might and mane, to get him to another club for a loan deal in January. Even if we pay half his wages. It’s better than paying him in full to sit here and do nothing.

Alex

Yes let’s loan him to Man U, he’ll evidently make them worse!

Gutbukkit Deffrolla

You’d be rubbish on a jury.

A Different George

Really? There is no match where you think the inclusion of Ozil would make us better? None?

Dave Cee

Can you think of any? Under 18.s perhaps

scythavatar

No way Emery would have dared to move against 350k per week without Raul’s approval…….. in fact it might be possible Emery wants to play Ozil but has been ordered not to by those who want Ozil’s wages off our books by all means.

Yankee Gooner

So the way to get an incredibly expensive player off our books is to bench him against the weakest opponents, speak poorly of him in public, and then watch teams line up to buy him and take on his wages? Doubtful.

If the strategy is to make him so miserable that he’ll quit, then that’s a strategy I just can’t support.

Oregoon

Yes. Wasn’t his “commercial” value seen as providing part of his wages through jersey sales? If so, not playing him doesn’t make sense, so discounting irrationality, what else is going on?

KSE is paying his wages, so how about he at least plays for the Colorado Rapids. (Maybe he would like Denver!)

Imustafiyou

If you choose a player to be one of your players but keep leaving him out of the squad, why in the first place you still name him captain? This whole situation become more and more alike the neymar, Di Maria stuff happening in PSG with #emeryout# situation.

mastak666

yea, because the neymar stuff really calmed down after emery left

John C

I know, Neymar has been such an example of professionalism since Emery, the man who can’t handle big players, left!!

Screamer

Because the players voted??

Red-Sky

Don’t bother. These articles are for raving, not balanced takes.

Pkub

Couldn’t agree more Red. Especially after last Arsecast extra, definitely starting to see seeing an agenda here. But sure…. Whatever gets the clicks, right?

CountLeaf

i agree. anyone knows any other forum that is more reasonable?

breaks my heart what’s happening on Arseblog News, but makes me puke what i have to read through over here more and more often.

i did recently view fb comments for an Arseblog article and was stupefied. always thought it’s the Arseblog crowd that provides these measured views as opposed to media like fb and others, right not it appears to be the other way round.

roastimbou27

Totally bizarre from Emery to name him as one of his 5 captains. He is creating this drama for no reason and when the team cannot even create chances against the worst united side in years, people can legitimately ask questions as to why Ozil is being frozen out.

It is, ultimately, a sad situation, and one that is being really badly managed by a coach whose communication has been highlighted as an issue in recent weeks.

chepetin

How interesting it would be if we all knew what was happening behind the scenes. I’m sure the truth is somewhere in the middle. Maybe he named Ozil as a captain because he thinks that it will make Ozil care more and work harder. Who knows. Something tells me though that communication is not as issue on this one. I think we have a coach who wants a player to do certain things, but that player either isn’t able to or doesn’t want to. And I don’t think that UE is asking anything of Ozil that he isn’t asking of… Read more »

Henry

He is not asking the same to xhaka and amn

Dave Cee

Don.t know about Xhaka, but at least he tries. AMN is a young and talented player learning a new position, he should have our support

Gutbukkit Deffrolla

Maybe he named Ozil as a Captain because the Squad voted for him because they like and/or respect him. What do any of us fans actually know about the true situation? Nothing at all. Mostly I think we are picking sides based on the bias we already have either for or against Ozil.

When Ozil doesn’t speak only Emery’s voice is heard. That is NOT a sound basis for judging whether Ozil should or shouldn’t be getting opportunities to play.

Alex

It was the same last season. But what does “deserve it more” mean? Being Spanish? Running like an headless chicken? Didn’t Xhaka and Auva deserve a real rest? Doesn’t Özil deserve to play in order to work on his fitness ? Didn’t he deserve to run the young ones as he did against Nottingham? Does UE deserve to be our coach?

Ya gooner

It’s a strange situation but somewhat justified given the score. To be honest while watching yesterday I didn’t miss ozil. It’s good to know we have great young midfielders who can create a yard of space for themselves to play it out.

A P

Did you feel that way against Watford and Man Utd too?

Clockendrider

Do you think Ozil would have made a difference? If so, based on what? Certainly not his performances over the last 2 years.
Ozil has been a great player. Increasingly it looks as though those days are past. Simply wanting that not to be the case doesn’t change anything.

Alex

Özil needs a team set up for him to orchestrate and as far as I’m concerned he deserves one. That’s the deal he was signed on, why else would you give him £350k a week? To remove your support and change your agenda a few weeks later and not manage him through a difficult patch?

atom

Alex – the real issue is that we panicked and gave him the contract to avoid the public relations nightmare of losing both Sanchez & Ozil at a time when it was probably already clear to the higher ups that Wenger was going to be fired as well. When a new boss comes in everyone starts with a clean slate – Emery wants to succeed personally = he wouldn’t have walked in & said “I need to screw Ozil” like some on here seem to think. Ozil hasn’t performed well consistently when given chances & we don’t really know what’s… Read more »

chepetin

Agreed on all three points. In fact, having Ozil in the squad is one of the reasons I’d have wanted to come to Arsenal if I was Emery.

Dave Cee

I.ll tell you exactly why he was given that deal. Wenger and Gazidis had no balls. Same like they gave Wally a huge undeserved contract in the wake of another big player leaving. All bullshit, this big clubs don.t let players leave talk. Ozil shoul have been allowed to walk and a suitable replacement found. Simple

jamezyjamez

Well were up 2-0 on Watford with Ozil getting a “hockey assist” playing Niles through for the easy cross to Auba…then we switched to bunker mode as always and didn’t sub Ozil off. Now I would argue that we were fortunate to be playing Watford as they could’ve had more goals while running around Xhaka like a traffic cone for 90 minutes. But hey, it’s Ozil that doesn’t bring anything of value eyeroll.

Kran Stoenke

Yes how about the other days where arsenal play 3 dms and 3 forwards? If the results justify things so much, why would u forget results from a couple days back? Arsenal were dire vs Manchester United, a side that’s struggling to score goals, gave them more shots than any other game this season for them. Emery needs to leave.

Ya gooner

The problem we had against those two teams have little bearing on the game yesterday. We have clear problems in our first team but our ‘second’ team and academy players look great. The performance on the pitch will always justify a manager’s selection if it’s a good one with a win so credit where it’s due, I will be one of the first to criticise when I disagree with selections and we lose. If I disagree with the selection but we win anyway while playing well I’ll shut up. lol

Dave Cee

Having Ozil in the team Vs Man fucking Her is unlikely to have reduced our shots against count. Be reasonable pls

Dave Cee

And u know that should read Man fucking Ure, but Man fucking Her has some comedy. Thx auto correct

xjert02

Have you ever heard the best defense is the attack? I think, we now have players able to beat this Manutd in current squad. But we have to be brave with our game attitude and it starts with the line up and tactics.

anonarse

So Emery is out of excuses why to sideline Özil now. He was not rested, not injuried, not sick nor was the opponent to physical. It’s more and more obvious that he doesn’t fancy using him anymore. That’s sad but as long as we win (especially like yesterday) it’s hard to objectively criticize that. However what does he mean with “deserve it”, is it a matter of quality?, work rate?, playing time? It’s quite hard to see how he isn’t among the best players we got. If the reason was that he wants the youngsters to gain experience (like OGS… Read more »

Pau

You took words from my mouth.
I so feel like to say something too on this matter. You have said it all. Tired of pretending I’m fine.

Hurensohn

You can’t help but think it’s personal? For years half of the fan base has wanted more effort from Ozil, even when he was producing end product. Now that he isn’t even doing that on a regular basis you still resort to conspiracy theories. Just objectively look at a guy trying to motivate a team while having the highest paid player, who isn’t even the best performer, shirk his duties for all to see and ask yourself why he might not play that player… It’s got nothing to do with personal issues, I’ve never even met the guy but he… Read more »

Dave Cee

Why does it have to be personal? Emery doesn’t like what Ozil brings to the team. Ozil doesn’t want to leave because of his contract. Maybe it has nothing personal about it. When has Emery ever said he doesn’t like Ozil.s face?

anonarse

Well, the reason I’m saying; I can’t help to think there’s something personal … Is solely about Emereys “reasons” why not to select him – which has no apparent cohesion, which leads me to believe there’s another reason that his not telling the press and us. I’m not a manager nor a motivator, but it dosen’t seem to me to be very motivating to show people “if you’re not what I want, I’ll do whatever to f*ck you over” that sounds like building a culture of fear – which I personally think is wrong, however I might be fundamentally wrong.… Read more »

anonarse

Well, the reason I’m saying; I can’t help to think there’s something personal … Is solely about Emereys “reasons” why not to select him – which has no apparent cohesion, which leads me to believe there’s another reason that his not telling the press and us. I’m not a manager nor a motivator, but it dosen’t seem to me to be very motivating to show people “if you’re not what I want, I’ll do whatever to f*ck you over” that sounds like building a culture of fear – which I personally think is wrong, however I might be fundamentally wrong.… Read more »

Flavoured Rice

That’s a poor, and frankly, unbelievable excuse. Emery has a history of falling out with certain players (Ben Arfa springs to mind) and then exerting his managerial power in full force by freezing you out. It seems like bullying and there is no way that I’m buying that someone of Ozil’s calibre, for all his flaws, cannot get into a Europa league squad. Be a man Emery and admit you have a personal problem with him. It’s clear for all to see. Emery is the man who froze out players before and he is doing it again. He is a… Read more »

anonarse

Well we don’t KNOW that he is freezing him out per se. Using that he had “problems” with Neymar and Ben Arfa (and probably others as well) to explain what’s happening to Özil is tendentious, he might have legit reasons to do what he does, however how hard it is to see for us. The excuses for not using him is getting old though, and an honest explaination would be good to get from the boss.

Flavoured Rice

So then, what are these other reasons? An injury ? We would be told if he had a debilitating one. You know, we are Arsenal – we are well used to having crocks on the sidelines for long periods of times. So it’s not like we couldn’t handle that reality. Emery just makes bizzare decisions on a frequent basis but he gets away with it for now because for every crap result we have a nice Europa league pick me up just around the corner. Also, if a person has a history of falling out with players it’s time to… Read more »

anonarse

As I wrote above Emery is out of excuses for not to select him now. And as you write it isn’t an injury pt. However (even though I’m thinking it might be personal myself) it might be sporting reasons combined with a “protection” of a financial asset which makes it dubious to go to the media and say: he isn’t good enough, or he isn’t capable of the modern game, which could make it more difficult to move him on. Let’s be fair, Özil lacks some qualities defensively. He is an advanced player which under the right circumstances offers a… Read more »

A Different George

I like Joe Willock too. But the idea that he isn’t as good with the killer pass as Ozil “yet” is just wishful thinking. It’s like saying Martinelli isn’t as good as Lewandowski “yet.” It is possible, but very unlikely, that any given player will reach those levels.

Meanwhile, we have a player right now whose killer passes might have torn today’s Man United to pieces, but we never saw him.

anonarse

Sure, Willock might never get “that pass of Özil”, but we can hope he can offer what Özil on his best days can do.

I think Özil deserves more chances, but I’m not the man in charge.

Matt P

Most managers have fallen out with players. It’s just like any walk of life.
I’m not surprised he fell out with Neymar. Neymar is a prick.

Matt P

Well, Emery isn’t going to say ‘He’s lazy, and way past his prime’. There’s limits to how honest managers can be, in terms of club diplomacy.
The comment about others deserving it more is good enough. It’s highly suggestive that Ozil’s attitude and commitment is not what it should be.
I’d much rather have hungry, talented youngsters playing. It’s not like Ozil has shown his (former) world class qualities when he’s actually played over the last year or two, has he? The ‘quality’ reason is no longer robust.

Dave Cee

100% Matt P

Gutbukkit Deffrolla

“The comment about others deserving it more is good enough. It’s highly suggestive that Ozil’s attitude and commitment is not what it should be.” Many Arsenal fans are predisposed to believing Ozil must be lazy because “he doesn’t run around a lot”, ignoring the fact that we didn’t buy him for his speed in getting back to defend. Those fans are going to lap up any vague quote from Emery suggesting he is “less deserving”. If Emery is a coach who likes to freeze out certain players then it is entirely believable that he would suggest Ozil is not making… Read more »

allezkev

It would be interesting to know what Raul and Edu think of Ozil, whether they think that Mesut is a player who you build the team around or a luxury we can’t afford?

Vaibhav

Totally agree, I think Emery has support of club hierarchy in his treatment of Ozil. Without the power extended to Emery by leadership he cannot make such decision on his own and stay with the job for long. There is some things going on behind the scenes are Emery IMO is the face of it. I don’t think he is solely to blame for this.

DaDude

Exactly. I really hope that Emery does not allow any influence by Raul or Edu over his squad selections for a specific matchday, because if that was the case I would lose all respect for him as a manager and if that were to happen, Emery should actually throw the towel. I mean we are not in the balkans or Turkey (no offense) where the club owner makes the selection and the coach is basically just a puppet. However, if it was the case that Raul tried to convince Emery to play Özil and Emery didn’t budge, it would have… Read more »

Goonerink

dont be so certain, we potentially would have had to pay millions to fire him 12 months early.
they could have had it with him after fluffing that chance, and instead of working on a extention to his 2 year deal they are using these 12 months to find someone who is a better fit.

shaka

Raul gave him the 350K deal.

N10

That was all Gazidis

shaka

so was Raul braiding his hair while this was decided?

N10

My burning question!

Dave Cee

I think it is obvious what Raul and Edu think. They agree with Emery, and so do I

renwahh

Imo there are too many good young players in need of Europa League minutes for development to waste on a fringe player who is elegantly declining in his ability to influence on a match. Ozil stopped assisting at an amazing rate several seasons ago, and you can’t claim he ever brought the goals himself.

anonarse

It’s kinda hard to get assists when you’re not playing though. Özil was dropped around the time we got some quality strikers, when his chances to get that assist tally would’ve been greater.

Clockendrider

Ben Arfa – the classic so what player. A problem wherever he has been and more clubs than Lee Trevino. Neymar – a pain in the hole at Barca, created havoc to get a move then does the same the second he’s at PSG. Perhaps Emery wasn’t going to stand for any nonsense from people who ought to behave professionally.

Hurensohn

Well said. At least someone isn’t cherry picking arguments to fit their agenda. Imagine trying to use the Ben Arfa stick to beat anyone other than Ben Arfa…? Madness.

Ric

Jam yourself we won 4-0 and didn’t miss him at all

Arunava

did u feel the same way when we drew against United?

Ric

Yes

A Different George

Are you one of the people who thought that was a good result because it was Man United at Old Trafford? Because I thought we played a crap game against a crap team who, at the moment, have nowhere near our talent.

Renwahh

There’s absolutely no reason to think Ozil would have brought us victory against ManU away? He’s failed to do that in the previous 10 attempts he did play in. He goes missing when the big games roll around

Hurensohn

@Renwahh They’ve forgotten all those games where he underwhelmed and his bang average stats vs the other top 6 teams.. Rose tinted glasses and all that.

shaka

this fanbase and the club was happy when he agreed the current contract. He had done enough to justify it. Since then, Wenger left, Bummery came and Ozil hasnt played much. Its not Ozil, its a decision by mgmt to get rid of all older players.

Gutbukkit Deffrolla

Maybe we should have played 11 players against United in those 10 games, instead of only playing Ozil.

Goonerink

i agree, i love ozil’s assists and crazy vision. but his is soo immobile that the PL doesnt suit him. i dont think we missed him vs united as he would have been dispossessed alot regardless. I still think emery got that wrong though. he sets us up depending on the opponent, which is what mid table sides do. we rent a mid table side, i think upstairs thought we might struggle this and last season with our closest league rivals kicking on and us dropping by. what actually happened though is that the majority of teams had a chaotic… Read more »

A Different George

The knock on Ozil has always been about tracking back and his unwillingness to press when not in possession, moving to open areas instead, and the consequent loss of influence (“drifting out of games”). These are genuine weaknesses in his game though, in my opinion, vastly exaggerated. But “immobile?” He’s constantly on the move, looking for space, that’s one of the criticisms. Earlier this season, I read someone accusing hm of dwelling on the ball too long. Possibly the world’s greatest one-touch passer, and a “supporter” accuses him of being slow on the ball. I guess that once you are… Read more »

shaka

if it was about Ozil, then Ramsey wouldnt have been frozen out similarly.

Ealing

No. But we could have lost the fame with Ozil. We need the bulk of midfielders and defence of team B to combine with the attack of team A. It will all be sorted out by the time we meet liverpool in the carabao cup.coyg

Ealing

*game

Elrond Half-Elven

I mean, Xhaka does not play in the same role as Ozil. Or are we just throughing the usual scapegoat in everything?

Here it’s probably about Ozil’s attitude, commitment and work rate.

Fooqyb

Ozil looked a refreshed player during pre season and apparently Ozil and Emery settled their differences during that time, so to see how everything has disintegrated in such a short space of time has everyone confused. I mean if Xhaka keeps making mistake after mistake and still gets to start every game, what standard is Emery holding Ozil to? I mean there comes a point when you have to make the best decision for the team, but in games where we have clearly lacked a creative spark Ozil could have made a difference. I just hope whatever happens, the club… Read more »

Futsboller

Well put.

Fanboy

Exactly this. Such a double standard between Xhaka & Ozil. More & more it seems like a personal grudge than anything.

chepetin

Listen, I don’t like having Xhaka in the starting XI any more than the next guy, but I don’t see a double standard. I think that Xhaka works his tail off, but just isn’t very good [and yes, I know that if he is surrounded by the right mix of players they can collectively minimise his weaknesses]. I think Ozil has very unique qualities but I suspect is too leisurely in training. If Emery’s requirement is that everybody has to take training seriously to play in matches, then there is no double standard. You might not like the fact that… Read more »

Hurensohn

Despite everyone in and around the club saying how well Xhaka trains on a daily basis and how bad Ozil trains or how poor his attitude is, you default to a personal problem between him and Emery do you? Ok.

Gutbukkit Deffrolla

Everyone? Everyone IN THE CLUB? Name all of the everyones and give us links to their quotes telling the world “how bad Ozil trains or how poor his attitude is”.

The only person in the club that has suggested such a thing is Emery himself, and even he did not say it outright.

I am losing faith in Emery’s ability as a man manager more with each day that passes. I think he is showing us his limitations, not Ozil’s.

shaka

orders from above.

Emery is a wimp pussy. He was hired for that very reason. He does what he is told. He accepted the post of head coach. He accepted that that the off-field stuff will be handled by Edu / Raul / Per…he accepted Freddie being sent in to his staff to make sure he played the kids, so they can be sold off for high fees later…After the last Manager who didnt let the suits interfere, this time the Suits wanted someone totally submissive. Hence Emery, fresh from his buttsmacking at PSG.

His name is Reek.

Dave Cee

The operative word is could. Not would. There are no guarantees with Ozil anymore apart from a lack of willingness to put his body on the line

Teryima Adi

And the saga continues, the Ozil saga.

Gutbukkit Deffrolla

No, its the Emery saga.

Rich

I don’t see what the problem is? I don’t imagine anyone posting on Arseblog knows the level of effort Ozil is putting in in training? Ozil is now into his 7th season, and I don’t think he’s been up to it, the last run of decent form he put together was the first half of the 2015/16 season, when we had Cazorla+Coqualin at the base of our midfield. He’s a player who’s been on the slide for a long time, and certainly doesn’t look like the future for this team, I’d much rather give Willock or Smith-Rowe a run out,… Read more »

A Different George

Given our recruitment, our level of talent, and the troubles besetting Man United, Spurs, and Chelsea, we should be making a serious challenge for third and building towards a team that can challenge for the title in three years or so. Instead, we are managed as if we expect to be in a fight with, not only the usual suspects, but Leicester, Everton, and West Ham for European places. Emery is a manager for Sevilla, not Real Madrid or Barca.

Dave Cee

Thank you

Steve

It seems to be, who puts the effort in, in training and gets themselves fit enough to play, gets the nod….so what’s wrong with that? I’ve been an Ozil fan for a number of years and have appreciated his skill but skill alone should not get you into the team. If you don’t put in the effort as well, you don’t deserve a place. That being said, creativity then needs to come from elsewhere and i saw some of that yesterday. I saw players giving every effort for their team and their team mates, fighting for every ball, closing down… Read more »

Kran Stoenke

That creativity game playing against probably the worst side arsenal did in a long time. They looked like arsenal when arsenal played vs Watford 2nd half. In the pl where the players regularly get pressed and physically challenge you for every 2nd ball, that’s where you see the likes of ceballos Nelson and Amn struggling to create space or chances for the fellow players. Antonio Conte had a couple months with inter and they look like the better side with that lot of players. Juxtapose that with Emery’s arsenal. The europa league and milk cup results are not, and should… Read more »

Arse-head

Even if we loan him out we’re still lumbered with the majority of his wage and then the same shit happens next season. Smart money is on Ozil riding this out, waiting to see if Emery gets the bullet.

atom

You hear that a lot – but unless I’m mistaken next year will be the last year of Ozil’s contract & there’s no way we’re about to hand a massive new contract to a inconsistent 32 year old. Ozil’s Arsenal career is pretty much over at this point.

chepetin

If any of us are Ozil, we are going to ride out that contract irrespective of who the manager is. Who else is going to pay him that wage at this point in his career? If we are not going to play him, we should loan him, even if we have to subsidise his wages, as the portion not subsidised is a plus for us.

shaka

manU will take him on a loan in 5 minutes ..Arsenal havent put him up for a free loan or free transfer ..

if they do, I would like to see him go to West Ham, Everton, Leceister or Palace and then the top6 race would get interesting

Atom

Shaka he’s not good enough on his own to turn a team into a contender or else we would have been playing champions league football the past few years ourselves

renwahh

Read between the lines he is saying that Ozil simply can’t put in a defensive shift when needed, and it’s basically needed all the time. I challenge anyone who loves Ozil to try FM with the current arsenal team and see if you can afford the luxury of a sometimes unbelievable AM that jogs everywhere, backs into players instead of challenging for a header, and has some of the worst tackling skills ever seen. Young players in the squad are showing similar attacking prowess as ozil but also can play box to box and actually tackle. It’s not Emery’s fault… Read more »

Flavoured Rice

Yeah, because we were clearly putting in such a great defensive shift when we were getting bombarded by Watford and assaulted by Villa. C’mon, it sounds like double standards here. I’m far from Ozil’s biggest fan.

I wouldn’t even pick him in our first XI but he is getting a raw deal…. And so are we actually because he IS talent and it’s a shame Emery is anti football and has no time for him.

A P

Did you see Pepe racing back to close down attackers in our penalty area? Because I didn’t!

renwahh

Pepe isn’t doing that hot either, but I guess Emery is trying to play him into form, which most of us would do after dropping 72 large. He’s also a player for the future, which Ozil is not. Flavoured Rice, the hard part for me is that I love Ozil too, but he’s simply not good enough to justify inclusion and probably his entire role is being phased out of the game. The game has become so fast, hard pressing, counter attacking, and Emery is no different, and nothing ruins a press like one player phoning it in. I tried… Read more »

Kran Stoenke

You keep talking about the future, but as far as anyone’s concerned the future wouldn’t be so bright if arsenal keep missing out on champions league. And making it into the champion league isn’t a future thing, it’s a now thing. And to make that happen arsenal need to start their better players. Under wenger, or any of the top coaches currently, the team gets control of the game after going a goal up and creates more chances on the counter. Arsenal so far have looked clueless after getting the lead so much that our chances of winning are better… Read more »

Clay

If we was better defensively I would believe this nonsense.

Oregoon

Bingo. Read Tim’s story about how we are playing since the start of this year. Are we pressing, playing out of the back(if so incredible poorly), and doing more running like last year? No, and this was Emery’s mantra when he came in, all this stuff that Ozil is accused of not doing. And training? Is that why we are so out of position all the time on defense? Ozil not getting it done, where the hell are you going from Emery?

Seat 148

I must be mistaken. But are you talking about a computer game? Do you honestly think that playing a computer game is a way to make a judgement about what happens in professional football? If so, just to clarify, it isn’t real.

DaDude

He is talking about a computer game and one with an excellent stats database even. Of course, what this computer game can’t simulate is the current attitude and dedication of the players, so yeah, I agree, it isn’t real. 😉

Renwahh

Simple thought exercise, not like it’s blindly crying on an internet forum about your favorite player being left out. The sole reason I bought and played the game because I thought it would be simple to get auba and laca in a front 2, with ozil tucking in behind. Sad truth is that you would have to play a 5 3 2, with ozil flanked by 2 central DM types that could cover his defensive shift. We don’t have the players for a 442, all our attackers want to be so far up the field it leaves our defensive shape… Read more »

A P

The way that I see it, Emery used the players’ vote (with his own input) to install Xhaka as the captain. However, there are more than enough players who voted Ozil, so Emery’s hand was forced, else he risks an even more divided dressing room. The players are not pleased with Emery’s treatment of Ozil. They are also sick of his tactics and insistence of playing out from the back.

With luck, Emery will be out soon.

Elrond Half-Elven

That’s some #Conspiracy theory.

Seat 148

That is contradictory. You imply he used the vote to get what he wanted with regards to Xhaka, but then didn’t manipulate it to get what he wanted with regards to Ozil. Fundamentally, it was a secret ballot and I doubt that an independent commissioner was brought in to verify the votes, so Emery could have used it to justify anything he wanted!

A P

Emery wouldn’t be able to dump Ozil as one of the co-captains if the players knew enough voted for him to be among the top picks, but not the exact number.

He would almost never pick Ozil, and also prevent a revolt if the players knew the vote was a total farce.

loose_cannon

I think in any other team, with any other fanbase, on the basis of his performances over the last few seasons and the desire to see fresh new talent come through and shake a team from its malaise, this would be a non-story. But at Arsenal we seem to suffer from what can only be described as “Ozil Derangement” where he is the source and solution to all of our problems.

Tapps

Totally spot on! I’m not Emery’s greatest fan, but nor am I his greatest critic. For me, the issue is Emery’s first XI is too passive and immobile. His ‘Youngsters XI’ have no experience of playing tough games in the prem. But with either of these XI’s, I currently wouldn’t be picking Ozil.

Sean

Maybe he’s just comfortable sitting back and taking the paycheck, but I respect the way Ozil is handling his side of this situation.

Dusko

Of course he will just seat and collect his paycheck. After Arsenal he wanted to go and finish his career in Turkey, and any Turkish club will have him with open hands no matter if he plays or not until then.

Clueless Head Coach

The fuck? Emery out!

Alex

Blogs – your half time Patreon link does not work on Arseblog Live. It goes to a 404 page.

It’s because the link ends “/arseblog.com” when it should just end “/arseblog”

SweGooner

Arsenalfans 2017/18: Wenger is to afraid to bench Özil. Özil isnt good enough #wengerout #ozilout

Arsenalfans when Unai is appointed and drops Özil: Such a brave coach. hes used to handle diva-players like neymar. He will definitely have the balls to bench Özil. #wohoo

Arsenalfans 2019/20: Why doesnt he play Özil #cry #buhu #emeryout

Sean

Fans’ opinion changed by what they happening on the pitch? Scandalous isn’t it?!

SweGooner

So Özil turned into a big assist-machine?

Damn i thought ive seen every game for 3 years straight but ive obviously missed alot of games. At what point from 2017-2019 did Özil become this great asset to our team? What matches have i missed?

Özil 2017/18: 26 games, 4 goals – 9 assists
Özil 2018/19: 24 games, 5 goals – 2 assists

where did his performance change? im so curious

shaka

nah….people saw bummery play 8 at the back against Brighton ….and then saw him set the team up to bend over and bow down before Liverpool…. seen enough

SweGooner

Saka im not defending Emery. Im getting frustrated with his team selections and tactics.

But what im saying is, arsenalfans need to stop being flipflops regarding Özil. It irritates the living shit out of me.

Dave

If I had to choose one luxury playmaker in our team it’d certainly be Ozil over Xhaka.

However, the way the modern game is going I’m not sure we can afford to start either of them.

Xhaka’s long passing can be achieved from CB with Luiz, Chambers and Mustafi all capable of playing it long well.

Ozil’s effervescent style can’t really be replicated by anyone, but he only truly excels when the conditions are just right for him.

chepetin

I agree with a lot of what you wrote Dave, but I had to laugh at your classification of Xhaka as a luxury playmaker.

Dave

That’s exactly what he is. A deep lying playmaker whose deficiencies must be accounted for by the rest of the team – in the same way Ozil’s must be.

A Different George

I actually don’t think you’re wrong about Xhaka, and I admire your courage in listing Mustafi as having any positive aspects at all. Again, you’re right, but you should have said Holding to make everyone happy, even if it’s not true.

Gutbukkit Deffrolla

Sadly Emery won’t even pick him when the conditions are just right for him. I mean, the bugger picked Mustafi against Liege after telling him outright to sod off just a few weeks ago, yet now he seems to think that no game is right for Ozil. I don’t trust Emery. I don’t trust the board who give him his directives. If he doesn’t get us CL football this season I reckon we’ll still see his contract extended. I wonder how hefty Ozil’s bonuses for appearances, assists, or goals are, and how much money the board would save if Ozil… Read more »

Pepe Le Pew

The Gaffer is courageous in his decision. With Tierney, Holding and Bellerin back int eh starting line up we’ll see some clear improvements. Laca is still to be back. Martinelli is just sensational. The future is bright. Mesut Whozil? COYG!

A P

You’d better change your nickname if Pepe doesn’t start delivering soon.

Bryan Clayden

Vote up if you want. Ozil leaves in January to stop this unsettling our season
Vote down if you want. Ozil stays until end of season and emery leaves to see who new manager is

shaka

no one ever bought a ticket to see bum Emery, but many would pay their months wages, to go and see Ozil play.

Clockendrider

Months wages? Get a grip.

shaka

you need to get out more

Clockendrider

Just have a think about your comment. Many would pay their months wages to see Ozil play. Just stop for a second and imagine you live in the real world. Now , please, tell me that your comment isn’t hyperbolic.
And then you can apologise for your ridiculous comment.

David Gooner

I don’t think that Emery is a very good man manager. I think he needs to make sure people see HIM as top dog and not, arguably, our best player. I find Emery confusing. He wouldn’t have been my first choice as manager, and he has done nothing to make me change my mind. Some of his team selections and tactics have been strange, to say the least. I wanted Jardim as manager because he has experience at Monaco of nurturing young talent and turning them into winners; it wasn’t his fault the owners decided to cash in on €750… Read more »

Runzac

Many teams have stopped playing a typical 10 as the modern football has evolved. Ozil is not a winger and is best suited for a free roaming creative part. His defensive contribution is missing and our team is badly struggling defensively. We see that Saka, Martinelli, Nelson, Auba, Laca are all stepping up their game defensively. Defence begins up front and when one is missing for a team that concedes too many goals the choice is obvious. Standard Liege is in second place in the Belgian League and a decent team and Emery decided to be not missing out defensively… Read more »

Olivije Žirod

What is this modern football? Why we should play the same? Why don’t we invent a new modern football? A great manager has its own system and philosophy of how he wants to play. Atletico Madrid play 442 which “died” around 2009 and they are pretty sucessful, aren’t they? Just because Liverpool play will three relative defensive midfielders doesn’t mean we should also. You play with what you have and we have a very good number 10. So use him! It is more that Emery doesn’t know how to use him. I don’t know if should I laugh or cry… Read more »

Tapps

Exactly WHO is our ‘very good number 10’? Emery may have his tactical limitations, but these won’t be alleviated by a lazy prima donna who thinks he’s above the rules of what is required. Play the youngsters – they’ll put in a shift, they’ll never stop trying, they’ll tackle back when instructed to do so, they all have points to prove. Granted, they won’t win the title this season (or next, or the one after) but they will all put in 100% effort – and will develop.

The only sp*rs i like is san antonio

A bit bs and hypocrite if you think that xhaka is still being given the chance to play and even captain armband

Dan nichols

Thing we know, emery advised him to look elsewhere last winter. To which I can only assume only said Im getting 350k, make me. Ok said Emery, I cant see what else he can do, ultimately results will show whether this was the correct way to go but i think when i read ornstein say that, i wrote off ozils arsenal career unless emery fails first, and am ok with that as he was a real symbol of wengerish preference rather than team ethic. that is ot to say Emery is making all the right decisions.

Jo333

Interesting reading through the comments. Ozil’s slow-walk stunt after being substituted against Forest was yet again pathetic. It’s fine for players not to be overly happy at being subbed, but his attitude demonstrates to everyone, exactly where the problem lies and it’s not with Emery. If he shows that level of disregard for the manager in public, then I am curious as to his efforts in training too. I think Emery is alluding to that, when he says other players deserve it more. The sooner Ozil leaves the club, the better. After the Europa League final slow-walk off and then… Read more »

A P

So, Emery’s ego is hurt? I’d exhibit my displeasure too, if I had such a dick of a manager.

Vonnie

There are absolutely no stories coming out from anyone at the club about Mesut not working hard in training. He is regularly included in the training pictures before the matches when he would be expected to play. It is clear to me that Emery hates him and is being very manipulative, waiting for his moment to come out with that while everyone is happy from the win. From day one he has been dismissive, churlish and disrespectful about him, he seems to have decided before he even met him that Mesut is another Neymar, which he isn’t. The young players… Read more »

N8Gooner

He’s in danger of becoming the next Winston Bogarde, and £18m per year is a lot of money for a benchwarmer! Surely if we want to offload him even on a heavily subsidised loan we need him to stay match fit? Could Emery not find a way to play him for the last 30 minutes in games like last night’s where the match is already won? This could end up being a very expensive battle of egos.

Bergkamp2Wright

Na, he’d rather risk an injury to Aubameyang

shaka

bummery knows

chepetin

Yes, that decision to bring him on late was baffling to me.

DaDude

It’s just speculation, but maybe Özil has a high bonus for match appearances and these 30 minutes of trotting around at a 4-0 lead cost us a 5-figure amount. Now, Emery shouldn’t care about that, because if he thinks that Özil can help the team then he should play him anytime he wants. But he should definitely not listen to any financial people who want Özil to be played to keep him in the shop window for potential buyers. What is fact, however, is that the management of Özil stated that he will definitely see out his contract and is… Read more »

adam

Not many in here seems to even think that Emerys decision might primarily be a mirror of the players dedication and attitude in training. You know… The good old way to select who plays the matches and who doesn’t. Let me be clear… I have no knowledge of who performs how in training. But that would for me be a significant factor in judging wether it is bad managing or a spoiled over the hill player…

Arsenalfanman

He needs to leave. We can’t have that on the wage bill and him not playing.

Vonnie

The wage bill is irrelevant, the salary is higher because there was no signing on fee. He needs to play.

Renwahh

THE WAGE BILL IS IRRELEVANT!!!

wow

Most players get a modest increase in their contract, not over 200% with no results to justify it. Ozil had Arsenal over a barrel when Sanchez fucked off, I actually feel like at the time they both thought Arsenal was a joke club.

Wenger got desperate, and Ozils contract is now the sweetest thing in his life and the reason he probably won’t play much football ever again.

Caligunner

The wage is irrelevant since he was 6months left on the contract. The cost to replace him is part of the wage he got

Francesc

I think ozil not playing is due to some weird contract clause wherein the more he plays the more we have to pay him.. otherwise there is no justification for him to not play such games.

Ealing

100%.

DaDude

I kind of agree, but any self respecting manager should not care about that. Or at least should not have to in a properly ran club. I sincerely hope that Emery is not being told by anyone which player he should not select, even though he wanted to play him. He should not have to care about financials, but always play the players that guarantee the highest chance of success in the specific game. (excluding normal squad rotation of course – resting players to make sure they are fit and sharp for a more important game)

AussieGooner

What the fuck is wrong with everyone? Reading these comments just make me feel sorry for everyone who are clearly very angry and upset about Arsenal at the moment. It is October, and we have only a single loss in all competitions, and that was Liverpool away. We are fourth in the league, above Spurs, Chelsea and Manure. We are top of our Europa group with two very impressive displays by largely a team of 18 year olds and we are in the league cup still. We are facing a bloody easy run of games over the next two months,… Read more »

Bergkamp2Wright

Although I agree with the Ozil sentiment, to not have questions about Emery after the end of last season and the start of this season is wrong IMO. If we’re not sitting pretty at the end of these “bloody easy” games then I for one won’t mind if he is given the boot.

Flavoured Rice

Stop generalizing an entire fanbase. We all make sacrifices to watch and support Arsenal and we all love Arsenal. We comment because we care. If you can’t make any valid or coherent points about this article without resorting to insults (a common tactic when someone has no counter argument ) then why not chill and have a Budweiser ? Unless you were born after the year 2006 then you’ll likely remember better days. And with the right attitude we can get their again. But having the right attitude means calling a spade a spade. Is Ozil’s time up at Arsenal… Read more »

AussieGooner

I was born well before 2006 and I remember worse days. It may come as a surprise to many of our readers but before Wenger there was Arsenal and we were crap a lot of the time. Even under George Graham our football was rarely pretty. We weren’t famous for 1-0 for nothing, Graham was the 80’s version of Mourinho. While it is easy to get all romantic about the glory days of Wenger it is prudent to remember that before Wenger we were always a frustrating team who had spells of success interrupted by spells of mediocrity. We are… Read more »

Tapps

….because we’re using the Europa League as an opportunity to develop future Arsenal first team players. And, to be fair, that’s going pretty well at the moment.

The only sp*rs i like is san antonio

Kinda hypocrite isnt emery? If you think that xhaka is his Best choice in league games and have cost us countless needless goals while ozil’s biggest problem is not tracking back, then both players should be put very far from the line up. His words are invalid

shaka

did you see the liverpool game…its the first time I have seen an Arsenal team bend over and hand the opponent a tube of lube.

chepetin

Yes, previous to this year we didn’t bother to supply the lube.

Tapps

I up-voted you as I, generally speaking, concur. The vitriol needs to calm down – but when was the last time our ‘first team’ played well? Surely we’re right to question this?

A P

What the fuck is wrong with you?

We are sitting on a very cheap 4th, as close to 12th as we are from 2nd, with 5 teams just 1 point behind. I would take it if this was how the season ends, but it is not.

We are picking up points not because of Emery, but IN SPITE of him, his baffling team selection and cowardly tactics. This is not new. It goes back to last season. If Aubameyang reverts to form and not score as freely as he did in recent games, we would be in a deep fuck!

Clockendrider

Well played sir. Reason is alive and well.

Caligunner

Are you serious

We are closer to 10-12 than first.

Right now it’s too early to talk about place. It’s the way the team is playing. Let’s not include Europa league lol

Chris

Emery says “other players deserve to be in the squad” yet xhaka gets picked every game! Contradiction much!

Ealing

For this game. Young squad with big guns on bench if they mess it up. They didn’t and the subs were called on for a few minutes only. Ozil on the bench would have meant nothing.

Lesster

I am sorry but I cannot understand people not being on Emery (and certainly the board) ‘s side on this one. It is quite clear Özil has not been putting enough shift in recently. We cannot judge his performances on the training ground but his attitude on the pitch tells me enough. I do not want a player who blames his teammates for a bad pass, who does not track back, who moans when being substituted… I want players who fight for the team and he is not one of them. Surely he is a very talented guy but his… Read more »

lordgunner

amazing how players become so good when they arent playing , how many below par performance by our so call superstar do people need to see ,his carreer at the hightest level is over
He need to find a new club next january if he is really honest with himself ,his arsenal day are done
and please no “whataboutism”. we all know xahaka is not performing well too .

COYG1001

Ozil will not play for Arsenal in Europe until after the last day of the next transfer window and then only if a CL team hasn’t picked him up. We are not going to disqualify potential buyers. More interesting is whether we play him in England. I certainly hope so. To say Ozil is no horse for any course is BS. Yes, he’s not a great defender — we have plenty of bad defenders who play and offer less creativity. Yes, he’s no longer a spring chick, but there’s a lot of positive the young chicks can lean from him.… Read more »

shaka

thats true… he wasnt played till the transfer window snapped shut…mkhi / elneny left…but Ozil stayed. Then he was played in two matches.

DaDude

I guess you are referring to what happened to us with Auba, when we couldn’t use him in the EL-KO phase after he joined us. However, if I remember correctly, he was barred only because Borussia were relegated to the EL as well after being third in their CL group and you cannot play in the same competition for two clubs in the same season. Had they remained in the CL, I seem to remember that Auba could have played. After all Miki was able to play, because ManU remained in the CL. (Actually only one of Auba or Miki… Read more »

Caligunner

I think they changed the rules about that. You can play even if you played for another club

Edzo

He’s not ready but then why did he play a few matches ago. Emery is just playing mindganes with him so ozil will leave. Like emery pushed out Ramsey. Whatever. The sell him if that’s hje case. Get it over with. Also, while he’s at it, bench xhaka for ceballos some have more speed in midfield.

shaka

he played quite well versus Watford and Forest… but maybe thats not enough.

Renwahh

Emery pushed out Ramsey now? Jesus Christ get a grip people. Ramsey wanted Ozil money and was left to the last year of his contract when Emery was signed. And Emery played him any chance he got!

I think we would sell Ozil if anyone would pay over 1mil pounds per month for him but only a fucking idiot would do that.

If Ozil was still world class teams would be desperate for his signature?

Sebastian

Seems like Emery’s trying to push him out of the team. It’s so ridiculous situation I can’t even find the words.

Joe Kawooya

What’s wrong with this generation of Arsenal fans, a decade ago, the EPL wasn’t as intense as it is now. Showdowns between ARSLIV would leave those Kops panting their tounge for free, Arsenal was the only high intensity team around. And yet Arsene, would wave most players that clocked 30 goodbye n out, or limit them to mere substitute appearances. Even as recent as Theo. But here we are, and fans are throwing themselves off cliffs coz a fragile footballer like Ozil in his 30s lucky to have been rendered a commercial deal by a poor management board is not… Read more »

N J F

I don’t ever remember any player being treated like this at Arsenal (Correct me if I’m wrong) This is a club that does things the right way, from transfers to youth development. Wenger for all his stubbornness, ALWAYS treated his players right, even the undeserving ones like Van Persie and Adebayour. He was an absolute gentleman. If there is a problem, just sit down with the player and deal with it. Why turn it into a media circus? Whatever does “deserve it” mean? Ozil’s stats are bettered only by De Bruyne. Ozil wanted to stay, he signed the contract. Sanchez… Read more »

shaka

it used to….then the incel mob took over.

G-rod

Do you think that his insistence on playing Xhaka is the reason that Ozil is frozen out? If Arsenal had a solid and defensive midfield base, then they could afford a luxury player in front. “Ozil doesn’t work hard enough” is exactly true, and very frustrating….don’t get me wrong

Mark

All I have to say is Wow. What a messed up situation especially having him named a captain. Can’t believe we have 350,000 per week tied up in a player that can’t even make the bench in a EL match at home. We just need to offload him somewhere even if we pay part of the salary.

Renwahh

According to another poster here, many people would pay a months wages to see Ozil play.. So maybe just some kind of testimonial match to help cover his retirement? Real Madrid Elderly Legends vs Arsenals Defrosted Invincibles?

60000 people, paying 2000 pounds per ticket… 12million pounds. Not bad revenue from a single match, but still only Just over half of Ozils yearly paypacket, and sadly not enough to encourage early retirement.

#inwengerwetrusted

jon

Özil does not normally travel north of St. Albans, but as this was a home game, I had expected him to play.

#define

There is a football reason, though I think its circumspect. Ozil’s vision and passing is a joy to watch when he’s switched on and, as mentioned in the article, against such opposition, it would’ve shone. There is probably also a political reason. A man who chooses a de facto dictator (in many eyes) as his best man is probably discouraged from being showcased as instructed by the football dictators (the FA, Arsenal board etc.). Ozil’s Twitter followers notwithstanding, a greater proportion of revenues is generated in the Western world and anything that potentially compromises that will not be encouraged. That… Read more »

shaka

you think, trump called his pal kroenke…or jared called his pal josh?

hustle6

I’m not going to go mad. But it is insane after over a year of plainly documented evidence of Ozil: not turning up to training refusing to play in matches, has widely been renowned as lazy in training cannot play up north Cannot play big games Is a lazy trainer Threw an absolute hissy fit when Unai tried to get him to work hard and play a different role Has never performed on a superstar level for Arsenal his whole time he’s been here. WE KNOW THIS. But when he doesn’t get picked it’s “GET UNAI OUT OF MY CLUB”… Read more »

chepetin

Maybe that’s because some of the people on this board identify with someone who doesn’t try very hard at their job, who is just happy to collect a paycheck, and who keeps their head down hoping that no one will notice.

None of us know what is actually happening in training but if any of us are managers in the workplace, we know that you can’t continue to carry someone who isn’t pulling their weight.

A Different George

Well, I don’t identify with Thatcherite morons.

Clockendrider

What has this to do with politics?

networth

Well put. The truth. Emery does not lie. He is honest but respectful. Ozil should do himself a favour like Ramsey did, play your best to attract a good team, because its a fact ozil is going. South gate said it yesterday, if a player is on form, select him, not because he is a brand. Walker,Alli,lingard were left out!

Lula

I’m fine with it. I don’t deal with him day-to-day. If he is not showing the right attitude then don’t play him. Even if he individually improves the squad, playing a player with a bad attitude would undermine the manager, the club and weaken the team long-term. If he is not showing the right attitude, then he can stay out of the starting lineup. In fact, I would suggest that it is the only reasonable thing to do.

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