Unai Emery explains why he substituted Mesut Ozil

Unai Emery explains why he substituted Mesut Ozil after his impressive performance.

Arsenal was again on the wrong end of a result after they were dumped out of the Carabao Cup by Liverpool who fielded a largely inexperienced side.

The Gunners were the better and more experienced side in the game but Liverpool’s young side showed tenacity to take the game to penalties after an entertaining 5-5 draw.

Despite the defeat, one of the positives on the night was the performance of Mesut Ozil. The German returned to the starting line up and played a blinder.

Ozil impressed greatly in the game with his range of passing, pressing and overall contribution. He was easily the Gunners’ best player as they almost landed their first win at Anfield in ten attempts.

The German was substituted in the 65th minute and his removal coincided with a characteristic collapse from Arsenal. It also has to be said that the fans were left shocked by the decision to take their best player on the field out.

The Spaniard, however, had a reasonable explanation. He claims that he was impressed with Ozil’s game and thought he should rest him for the game against Wolves.

“[Ozil] played as we want, with experience and his skill to help the team,” he said.

“We decided beforehand that it was better for him to have a rest. He worked really well for 65 minutes.

“In my mind is the possibility to use him again [in the Premier League].”

Ozil must now be in contention for a starting spot at the weekend. It will be very difficult for Emery to leave the playmaker out. If the German does not start against Wolves then I am certain there will be a reaction from the fans.

12 Comments

  1. Sounds like BS to me..

    I think Emery thought the game was in Arsenal’s favour and decided to do his usual with Ozil. Let’s see if Ozil plays this weekend?!

  2. Utter BS. You can’t decide before a game you are going to sub him at 65 minutes, especially when he’s having such an influence on proceedings. All three subs were apparently planned beforehand, that worked well didn’t it?

    1. Yes you can pre plan substitutions if your planning on giving game time at the weekend – how else do you ensure fitness?

      Kola threw a spanner in the works when he (and Emi on his behalf) signalled for him to be subbed – was supposed to have been Laca (he was on sideline waiting to come on) who would have filled the void from Ozil in the support striker role 🤷‍♂️

    2. I thin the whole season is planned in advance Declan. It mainly consists of burying your head in the sand if you’re Emery 🙂

      1. JAJAJAJA and that’s what Emery is doing… Every single person who saw the past games know that Ozil is needed on the EPL Games.

      2. Exactly right, MadHatter. Arsene Wenger used to make substitutions in the second half and many of these same people saw nothing wrong with it, but now Emery can’t do a thing right.
        Conspiracies everywhere, making the coach a liar, together with Mertesacher and Sanheili. Anyone who doesn’t agree with conspiracies is abused.

  3. It was very clear that Emery would start Ozil.
    What suprised him was Ozil’s maestro performance.
    Now Emery is in trouble, cos he has to start him again against Wolves cos if he ignore him and Arsenal loose again (or a draw, is the same) … Emery will be even closer to exit.

  4. I’m glad for Ozil, it was a really tight performance by himself, he blocked off passing roots to restrict Liv options on players to give it to. When he had the ball he was constantly looking up and picking the right passes, the play from the forwards was good play whereas I think Liv’s goals were more avoidable. Martinez had a shocker, and he doesn’t even look like a GK with how he handles himself with penno’s. He hops around like a mad thing before guessing to go which way, players tell you which way they’re going right before the foot connects to the ball, how it’s shaped and where on the ball it’s hit, concentrate ffs ..if he had chosen one side of his goal and said ..I’m just going to get down into that side on every penno, he would likely have saved at-least one. He was poor in the game and poor with pennos, I would love to see an AFC keeper saving a penno.

    Another good thing that Ozil brought with him was the atmosphere, after the week we had it was great listening to the away fans, I wish we could fill the Emirates with these guys alone and keep the tourists out. It’s not easy to be heard at Anfield esp in those type games, but we were in good spirit and the fans helped make it a belter, well done Gooners and hard luck to us all. I’m not too bothered by going out of this comp, and we got to see a lot of pluses, A Villa in next round would’ve been handy all same, but now we have to see about sorting our league position, surely Martinelli is not too far from that first team.

  5. Martinelli should be in the first team. We’ve got our own Alexis Sanchez in him. A very hard worker off the ball and equally so with it.

  6. Exactly right, MadHatter. Arsene Wenger used to make substitutions in the second half and many of these same people saw nothing wrong with it, but now Emery can’t do a thing right.
    Conspiracies everywhere, making the coach a liar, together with Mertesacher and Sanheili. Anyone who doesn’t agree with conspiracies is abused.

Comments are closed

Top Blog Sponsors