Mikel Arteta’s squad are split over the possible return of Mesut Ozil, with some key players reported to be championing the German’s cause.
Ozil started the first 10 league games of his former teammate’s managerial tenure and was very influential in the good results Arteta achieved during his honeymoon period at the club.
But, he spent the entirety of ‘Project Restart’ on the periphery of the squad and hasn’t played any game for Arsenal since March.
Arteta has insisted that the club’s highest earner has been omitted due to footballing reasons, but results has been poor for the club.
Prior to the surprise win over Chelsea, Arsenal had scored only 12 goals from 14 games and a lack of creativity had increased the clamour for Ozil to be called back to the team.
According to The Telegraph, some senior players have been pushing for his reinstatement.
Arteta made the changes against Chelsea and a young forward line comprising of Bukayo Saka, Emile Smith Rowe and Martinelli powered Arsenal to a morale boosting win over Lampard’s side.
- ‘I saw him off his line!’ – Bukayo Saka insists he meant stunning goal vs Chelsea
- Frank Lampard hits out at ‘lazy’ Chelsea players after Arsenal defeat
Aubameyang was left on the bench, while David Luiz and Willian were left out of the squad completely due to illness.
Speaking after the match about the balance of his starting lineup Arteta said: ‘Yes, I think to was a really good mixture today of senior players, experienced players, and young talent that we have.
‘They have been showing us in the last few weeks that they are capable of starting the games and I had no doubt they would respond today and I think they were really, really good.’
