He has a back injury.
Arsène Wenger will be in charge of his final game at the Emirates today, when Arsenal host Burnley in a fixture that could decide the ‘battle for 6th’. While Arsenal fans have long been critical of Wenger’s management over the past few years, today was due to be a day of celebration, appreciation and gratitude.
However, it hasn’t got off to a great start, as star player Mesut Özil was left out of the match day squad.
…and here’s how we line up for his final home game 😉#AFCvBFC pic.twitter.com/UBp12N7dzX
— Arsenal (@Arsenal) May 6, 2018
Having played Atlético Madrid in the Europa League semi-final on Thursday, first choice players were once again rested as they were last weekend, with Calum Chambers and Konstantinos Mavropanos starting in defence. Özil’s omission even from the bench came as a surprise though, given his quality and importance to making them tick.
Although, former Arsenal player and BT Sport pundit Martin Keown predicted this after Thursday’s disappointing performance.
“Somebody needed to get hold of him a long time ago and give him a shake and say ‘we are working for you, but you’re not working for us. I bet he doesn’t play again this season. He’s not conning me, that’s not a proper performance, there’s so much more under the bonnet,” Keown said on TV after the game.
Özil’s nonchalant body language has been a point of criticism from pundits ever since he joined Arsenal, and his history of mysteriously missing matches through “illness” has not gone down well with fans.
Arsène Wenger explained before the match that he has a slight back issue, ruling him out.
Today, they were not impressed at all by his absence.
https://twitter.com/DarrenArsenal1/status/993136788863619073
https://twitter.com/th14Renato/status/993138903677898753
Ozil can fuck right off .. who the fuck does he think he is ?? Fuck all wrong with him . .. thinks he's above everyone else
— Pauly AFC (@PIreland33) May 6, 2018
So Keown was right. Ozil not up for it. Poor. Very poor
— tim payton (@timpayton) May 6, 2018
https://twitter.com/noahbergman/status/993141264148303872
Ozil not playing again😱 has he got a cold again? Fucking joke
— 👻Miki York👻 (@TheRealMikiYork) May 6, 2018
https://twitter.com/MaxBartle17/status/993141079208857600
https://twitter.com/eoingibbs7/status/993141816454197248
I see Ozil is having another sick day the spineless overrated twat…..#eyesareoffside
— Dan (@ElCapitain82) May 6, 2018
Ozil is not ill. He's just resting for the World Cup
— 'Femi (@FemiStuntin) May 6, 2018
