Unai Emery has suggested that he left Mesut Ozil out of the Arsenal squad to face West Ham due to tactical reasons, claiming that he has trained normally all week.
The suggestion had been that the German playmaker was still suffering with a knee injury and thus hadn't been risked for Saturday's game against Manuel Pellegrini's side.
But Emery did not mention any injury issue when asked to explain why Ozil was left out. He told reporters: "I decided the players who are the best for this match. We win with him and lose with him. Not one player is for sale
"He’s working this week normally. Like I said we win with him and lose with him. Today the decision is to come with these players."
The Gunners would come unstuck at the London Stadium, with Declan Rice's goal early on in the second half proving the difference between the two sides.
It is the first time Arsenal have been beaten away from home by the Hammers since 2006, when Marlon Harewood's 89th-minute strike claimed all three points for the hosts at Upton Park.
The decision to leave out Ozil will again raise eyebrows, with it not being the first time Emery has decided that he is better off without the German in his matchday squad.
Indeed, Ozil was not part of the 18-man squad for Arsenal's north London derby defeat to Tottenham in the Carabao Cup back in December, with Emery having insisted on that occasion that it was due to "tactical reasons".
The 30-year-old had missed the Gunners' last three matches due to a knee injury, but confirmed himself that he had had a full week of training and seemingly expected to be welcomed back into the squad.
But Emery instead opted to play Granit Xhaka alongside Matteo Guendouzi in the central midfield area, with Alex Iwobi and Alexandre Lacazette playing in support of Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang.
wohmtu
109
Did your tactical reason give you win. But why always Guendouzi and back 3 when you know you are conceding so many goals. You are now annoying. Ask Jose. Bad weekends
Lidbcklrsy
103
Unai is very stupid look at him when he’s pushing players to perform he thinks he’s pushing them but killing them how do you go to an a way game with a draw in your mind they way he start again West hm tells you he was looking for a draw.He plays 2 strikers fine where the supply will come from no Ozil,Ramsay,Toreira,but he plays Ghenduzi alongside Xhaka and we know these two a defensive,and he put Iwobi this guy not good enough for arsenal he likes running with the ball at end pass it to the defender than looking for striker,arsenal fans my advice is to strike against this guy as soon as possible before we get relegate only tomorrow we will be number 6 on the log because MUD will overtake us
Vaddelmt
102
This coach gas a ego problem. poor player relationship. ozil is Arsernal most skilled, creative and gifted player. if ozil don't play I do not watch the game because arsenal play boring football without him. Emery ego will cost him his job!!!
Louceilsyz
93
weldone Mr tactical fool.... your days are number for your tactical sacking
mubblmpyz
87
Emery unai Envy's Ozil £350 per week,minus match bonus,
zuyaeilst
84
Emery is not a perfect coach for Arsenal haw can you leave your best players like ozil an say he is not the best for that game that's madness an you say is tactical reasons that won't work.play him behind laca an Auba an see if he is not best for the game.since he start not to call Ozil on his sqaud Arsenal miss to score goals an win games he should play ozil behind laca an Auba he will definitely assist one of them . When do we miss creative goals an passes from our playmaker look at haw nasri was playing an this is his first game for westham
Sohaib786
75
He’e becoming the next Solari, just like tht he also had a dumb excuse of leaving Isco out altho he was all fit & training for a whole week. I feel bad for Ozil really as it’s happening to him as well being fit & training hard to get in but others get selected & not even making the bench!! Absolute Bonkers!
rabcmrz
73
Unai emery said ozil is not the right player for this Match...WTF TYPE OF COACH WILL SAY SOME STUPID NONSENSE LIKE THAT?? you bench your best players because for you he is not good for this match... You played your best strikers with no creativity behind them... WTF TYPE OF FOOLISHNESS IS THAT??. WHAT TYPE OF COACH IS TATH?
Tascity
69
I'm not bashing the coach, I know he needs more time to get Arsenal back to where we once were, but give me a break with this tactical shite, if you play Ozil your best creative midfielder I would bet my house on it that we would have won this game because it was there for the taking, only thing that was missing was that little bit of magic, that Ozil could produce, too many times we had the opportunity to score but the ball was played to short, or to hard, or just wasn't played at all. I'm not bashing the coach, I'm just saying if he left Ozil out for tactical reasons then you need he needs to reevaluate his tactics because today he got it dead wrong!
Nesaiknruy_Legend
65
Unai is Conte with less focus on defence. Same thing happened last season. Players falling out with manager. Back 5. Questionable line ups. The Emery out banners will be coming out this season. Especially since the highest Arsenal can finish is 5th. By the way, Mia Khalifa got more clean sheets than Arsenal 😂😂😂.