When Arsenal announced their starting lineup for their clash with West Ham, there was one glaring omission: Mesut Ozil. The German ace was also nowhere to be found on the substitute as he had been left out of the squad entirely.
While many agreed that his absence from the starting eleven was needed after his underwhelming display against Chelsea, questions poured in as to why he was a no-show. With the Gunners taking on the Hammers and going in search of their first win of the season, the World Cup winner could have been pivotal.
Most news outlets reported that the playmaker fell ill and was thus excused from Saturday's game, an excuse Arsenal fans are all too familiar with. However, one reporter claims Ozil's exclusion was due to another reason.
According to João Castelo Branco, the 29-year-old was axed from the weekend tie over a row with the manager. The ESPN Brazil correspondent stated that the two had an argument during practice which resulted in Ozil shouting at Emery.
Confirmo mais uma vez a informação que apurei e mencionei ao vivo no abre jogo na @ESPNagora . Ozil teve discussão com o técnico Emery no treino essa semana, saiu gritando e está cortado hoje. Informações de mais de uma fonte ligada ao clube. #PremierLeagueNaESPN
— Joao Castelo-Branco (@j_castelobranco) August 25, 2018
Ozil illness? He's been left out of Arsenal team after a training ground row with Emery according to @j_castelobranco
— Dean Jones (@DeanJonesBR) August 25, 2018
While this claim remains nothing more than that, the pressure on Ozil will only increase by tenfold if this allegation is true. The former Real Madrid star has already found himself under severe criticism once more for failing to deliver in their two opening games of the Premier League season and will have to work harder to prove himself to the new boss.
