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Freddie Ljungberg Hits Out At Mesut Ozil Ahead Of Arsenal’s Match With Everton

Freddie Ljungberg Hits Out At Mesut Ozil Ahead Of Arsenal’s Match With Everton

Arsenal interim boss Freddie Ljungberg revealed that he is furious with Mesut Ozil's behaviour in the Gunners' defeat to Manchester City.

Adnan Riaz

Adnan Riaz

Freddie Ljungberg has admitted that he would have snubbed Mesut Ozil in Arsenal's squad selection for the Everton clash even if he were fit.

The 31-year-old German playmaker was ruled out for the trip to Goodison Park due to a foot injury.

But Gunners interim boss Ljungberg pulled no punches towards Ozil for his inconsistency and behaviour in an Arsenal shirt.

"Mesut has something on his foot," he told BT Sport.

"He wouldn't have been in the squad anyway after what happened in the last game."

Ozil was substituted off in Arsenal's 3-0 defeat to Manchester City last weekend and was furious with Ljungberg's decision.

PA

Former Arsenal defender Martin Keown has also accused the ex-Real Madrid star for faking an injury to avoid being on the bench against Everton.

"I'm not convinced [about the injury], to be honest," he said.

"What I will say is Freddie Ljungberg has managed with a great deal of dignity and calm in very difficult circumstances.

"Ozil is one of those issues, one of those problems. [Mikel] Arteta has got to manage that.

PA

"He went off the pitch against City, he wasn't best pleased, he didn't look particularly injured on that occasion.

"He's probably just taken himself out of it because he thinks that Freddie wouldn't play him.

"He has hit the headlines for several different reasons in the last fortnight."

Ozil grabbed the headlines last week after he called out China for the treatment of Muslim Uighurs in the country.

PA

The Arsenal star, who is of Turkish descent and a Muslim, has since been pulled from Chinese TV over his 'controversial' comments.

China has taken action against Ozil after they removed his name from the internet in the country.

And reports have also suggested that Ozil is unlikely to ever be shown again on Chinese TV.

Arsenal, who have had an underwhelming season, announced on Friday that former club captain Mikel Arteta has been appointed as Unai Emery's successor.

Featured Image Credit: PA/BT Sport

Topics: Football News, gunners, Football, Mesut Ozil, Goodison Park, Toffees, Premier League, Everton, Arsenal