Arsenal head coach Unai Emery claims other players are more deserving than Mesut Ozil on the pitch as he offered a fresh explanation for his omission from the team.
The German midfielder is Arsenal’s highest earner but has played just one game in all competitions this season. He was left out of the team entirely for their Europa League win over Standard Liege on Thursday, watching on as his side claimed a 4-0 victory.
Fellow midfielders Dani Ceballos and Joe Willock both got on the scoresheet to rub salt into the wounds – and Emery said after the match he has decided other players are more deserving of places.
But he urged the 30-year-old to continue working hard in order to get back in his squad ahead of the remainder of the campaign.
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Emery said: “I am thinking every time to decide with the best players for each match and the best players in the squad to play and help us.
“When I decided he isn’t in the squad, it is because I think another player deserves it more. Sunday we have another match. And we are going to decide the same.
“The best first 11 possible to achieve our target to win on Sunday and also adapt to that difficult of playing Bournemouth. And carry on our way that is the same in each match.”
On Gabriel Martinelli, Emery added: “He prefers to play as a left winger – striker is not the best position for him. But the first thing in his mind is to help us.
“Tonight his performance and his aptitude was amazing. If he continues training with that hunger, I think he is going to do well.”
They will be back in the Premier League at home to Bournemouth on Sunday as they aim to get back to winning ways after playing a 1-1 draw with Manchester United on Monday.
Mesut Ozil’s only appearance so far this season came in their 2-2 draw with Watford last month.
