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The Real Reason Why Unai Emery Dropped Mesut Ozil From Arsenal XI

The Real Reason Why Unai Emery Dropped Mesut Ozil From Arsenal XI

The German was an unused substitute at Bournemouth.

Nasir Jabbar

Nasir Jabbar

Unai Emery has explained Mesut Ozil's exclusion from Arsenal's starting XI at Bournemouth.

The Spaniard dropped Ozil for Sunday's Premier League fixture, and his decision has ultimately vindicated as the Gunners secured all three points.

A spectacular Jefferson Lerma own-goal and a second-half strike from Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang ensured the 2-1 victory.

And following the win, Emery revealed why he dropped Ozil, alluding to the hosts 'physicality and intensity', saying his side needed said traits to combat Eddie Howe's charges.

"We thought how we can be better in the match today, a very demanding match with physicality and intensity. But every player is important," he said.

Image: PA
Image: PA

Emery added: "Also today we tried with three centre-backs, like in some moments this season, we worked today and it is another possibility to improve or find our best performance in the squad.

"In the beginning of the season we were speaking every day about the need to be competitive. We need to be organised, we need the individual quality to improve our performance. It is the same today.

"Today is 17 matches we have not lost, but the last three matches we drew.

"We know that is not enough for us, for our objectives. The three points is a big match and a big moment for us.

"When they scored we needed to keep calm and continue to control, getting better in the small things on the pitch. We knew this is a difficult stadium, a difficult team. I am very happy how the players and also the supporters pushed and helped us today. The control over 90 minutes, keeping calm in a lot of moments, is very important."

Image: PA
Image: PA
Image: PA
Image: PA

Meanwhile, Arsenal are now just a point behind Chelsea, who suffered their first league defeat of the season to Spurs.

Arsenal head into European action in midweek, before hosting arch rivals Spurs next Sunday.

Will Ozil return to the side?

Featured Image Credit:

Topics: Football News, Unai Emery, Football, Mesut Ozil, Arsenal

Nasir Jabbar is a journalist at SPORTbible. He graduated from Bath Spa University with a BA in Media Communications. He's a combat sport aficionado, and has contributed to MMA websites AddictedMMA and CagePotato. Nasir has covered some of the biggest fights, while interviewing the likes of Conor McGregor, Michael Bisping and Anthony Joshua. He's also an avid Bristol City fan.

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