Arsenal playmaker Mesut Ozil was not in the matchday squad as the Gunners lost 3-0 to Manchester City at the Etihad last night.
Asked after the defeat about the 31-year-old’s omission, head coach Mikel Arteta had very little to say on the matter, simply stating:
“It was tactical.”
For Arsenal supporters, that phrase will have echoes of what former manager Unai Emery used to say while explaining Ozil’s absences. Fans on Twitter were left in disbelief at the explanation provided:
Mmm…?this sure sounds familiar
— McLarence (@ClarenceBaloyi) June 18, 2020
Tactical reasons or reasons you don’t wanna say to the media?
— Lanre Carter✍? (@LanreCarter) June 17, 2020
Is this manager for real!!!! Odds on the sack?
— mr.p (@thecatty1969) June 18, 2020
How on God’s green earth will anyone suggest playing Willock for tactical reason?
— Akwa Ibom lastborn (@DewattsJ) June 18, 2020
And people called Emery delusional for it
— Marcus Koskinen (@Wassel49) June 17, 2020
Just give this guy £10m and send him to Turkey . Holding club back so much with wages that contribute nothing to the project
— Russell Moore (@RussPuss) June 17, 2020
Oh boy??here we go again.
— BrownBoy? (@Waynegushaz01) June 17, 2020
Okay, Unai Emery!
— DiegoCardoso (@DiegoCard0s0) June 17, 2020
The fact there are now nine substitutes, rather than seven, makes Arteta’s reasoning even harder to understand. There are not 20 better players in the Gunners’ squad than the German World Cup winner.
The attacking midfielder’s agent has consistently said that the player will see out his contract at the Emirates so if Arteta is trying to force him out, it does seem like it will be a futile effort.
If it is simply that he isn’t putting in the hard work in training then perhaps the Spaniard should just come out and say it.
