This is easy [to drop] Ozil, because he’s not his player
Paul Merson
Ozil’s resistance to work hard without the ball has led to his absence from the team, most recently in Arsenal’s 2-0 win over Chelsea last Saturday.
Emery has received plaudits for his iron-fist approach with the club’s best-paid player, but Merson believes the decision is easier than it seems.
“Ozil’s not his player,” Merson told Sky Sports’ The Debate.
“He can play his joker. He can say ‘I’m leaving you out’ and people will go ‘Phwoar, he means business’.
Unai Emery is able to drop Mesut Ozil for one reason, Paul Merson believes (Image: Getty)
Mesut Ozil has been phased out the team by Unai Emery (Image: Getty)
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“The problem is when he does [buy] a big-game player and they’re not performing, will he be able to leave that player out?
“This is easy with Ozil, because he’s not his player.”
Emery has explained the club’s purse strings are not loose enough to acquire a marquee signing this January, but they are in the market for loan deals.
Merson reckons defence is the area that needs addressing next time Emery has leverage with a warchest, otherwise wins against Chelsea and the like will only be transient success.
Mourinho explains how to get the best out of Mesut Ozil
Mesut Ozil was benched for the visit of Chelsea last Saturday (Image: Getty)
Paul Merson was voicing his opinions on The Debate (Image: YouTube/Sky Sports Football)
“This is Arsenal. One minute they’re great and the next minute they could end up getting beat to a team in the bottom half of the table,” the Sky Sports pundit added.
“I like the manager, I do like the manager. I think Arsene was blessed when he first come in.
“He had an unbelievable back four and an unbelievable goalie. This man hasn’t got that - he’s got great attacking players, but hasn’t got defenders. A lot of them are not good enough.”