“Ridiculous”, “Crazy” – Some Arsenal fans slam Emery for axing Mesut Ozil v West Ham

Some Arsenal fans have slammed boss Unai Emery for leaving Mesut Ozil out of the entire squad for today’s Premier League clash with West Ham at the London Stadium.

Ozil hasn’t featured for Arsenal since the draw at Brighton and Hove Albion on Boxing Day after suffering an apparent knee injury in training ahead of the 5-1 defeat to Liverpool at Anfield.

The German playmaker has started just 2 of our last 11 games in all competitions after Emery axed him from the squad for the win at Bournemouth in late November due to ‘tactical reasons’.

Ozil has been back in full training over a week after returning to full fitness, however, the 30-year-old has once again been left out of the entire squad for today’s trip to the London Stadium to face West Ham [see the team here].

Some fans wondered if the attacker had picked up yet another injury in training but Arsenal have confirmed to the press association that Ozil is fully fit but has been left out for tactical reasons once again.

It’s clear Emery feels he can’t rely on Ozil, particularly in away games, and he is no longer considered an important first team regular but it seems self-destructive to have three full-backs on the bench instead of Ozil. Is that really what’s best for Arsenal today?

We have very little creativity in the squad so even to have Mesut on the bench would have been useful but Emery has decided to leave him at home and it’s safe to say it’s not gone down too well with some supporters.

Understandably, fans have branded the decision ‘crazy’ with some saying the situation is ‘ridiculous’ as Arsenal are paying £350,000-a-week for our most talented player to sit on the sidelines despite being fully fit.

Check out what some fans have been saying on social media:

£350k-a-week to sit on his Arsenal at home. Absolutely ridiculous. https://t.co/CJLK5P8g1U

— Piers Morgan (@piersmorgan) January 12, 2019

Honestly the whole Özil-Emery thing would go down easier if Emery just came out and said – he doesn't suit my style of play.

— You Are My Arsenal (@YouAreMyArsenal) January 12, 2019

Ozil trained all week & isn’t included. Crazy. #afc

— Sam (@samuelJayC) January 12, 2019

Press Association say #AFC confirmed to them that Özil is fit and available for selection. No setback or a new injury. Just a tactical decision.

— Arsènic™ (@MrArsenicTM) January 12, 2019

Ridiculous. Even if Emery think that Özil is not fit to his system (just like Ramsey, who is a completely different type of player) not select him at least for the bench is awful waste of talent and money. https://t.co/Wwwn9ga782

— Peet (@goonerpeet) January 12, 2019

Unai Emery’s treatment of Ozil is ridiculous ? #WHUARS

— Adzy Nayyer (@AdzyNayyer) January 12, 2019

This can't go on – but I also can't see an end in sight. Even if he isn't the sort of player Emery wants to start a tough away game the idea that it's better to have two right-backs, a left-backs and Eddie Nketiah on the bench ahead of him makes no sense at all.

— James Benge (@jamesbenge) January 12, 2019

If this is what we're doing we might as well just pay up his contract now and let him walk away. https://t.co/DNHOycjk9K

— Lewis (@LGAmbrose) January 12, 2019

After announcing on all the social media feeds that Özil's back, you leave him out for a crucial away game? The Head Coach is prioritising his own ego over results, and wasting a £350k a week asset while he does it. @Arsenal this is how you people demonstrate financial prudence?

— Pushkin (@MrBure) January 12, 2019

Which mystery injury does Mesut Ozil have this time? ?

— Oliver Harbord (@ojharbord) January 12, 2019

Ozil trained all week. Just not included in the squad for an away game. Something’s gotta give here.

— arseblog (@arseblog) January 12, 2019

If it truly is a tactical reason the only thing I can think of is that Emery is trying to overcompensate for our defensive woes (hence two FBs on bench) but we don't have any kind of game changing threat to come on.

— You Are My Arsenal (@YouAreMyArsenal) January 12, 2019

Only thing that's being given is £350k a week for very little to show for it. Ozil is happy to sit and take it, he has no national place to lose. He holds all the aces. Emery in fairness has been dealt an awful hand by outgoing Gazidis. Club have to pay Ozil off,move him on.

— Andy (@yorkshiregunner) January 12, 2019