Arsenal boss Unai Emery explains why Mesut Ozil was taken off at half-time during draw at Brighton and Hove Albion

Unai Emery has revealed he took Mesut Ozil off against Brighton for tactical reasons and not because of an injury.

The German midfielder was withdrawn at half time of the contest at the Amex with the scores finely balanced at 1-1.

The Gunners could not find the key to unlocking the stubborn Seagulls defence and were forced to settle for a point.

The visitors took the lead through Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, but were level again when Jurgen Locadia pounced on a defensive error to equalise.

Replays showed it was Ozil’s man and the 30-year-old was subsequently taken off at the break.

However, Emery has revealed it was purely a tactical decision to take off the attacking midfielder.

Emery explained his decision to talkSPORT after the game

“It was tactical,” Emery told talkSPORT. “Like before, in other matches, we decided like that.

“Today is the same because we thought we need some time tactically to do more with more balance so this is the reason.”

The draw means Manchester United are now just six points off the Gunners as the race for the Champions League places intensify.

While the Premier League title is almost certainly out of Emery’s grasp this year, the Spaniard admitted he wants more from himself and his squad to get into Europe’s elite competition.

Aubameyang’s goal was cancelled out by Jurgen Locadia

“I think we need a little more,” he added.

“From me and from the players because we need to do one step more in our performance.

“But I am happy with the players, I am happy with out work, with the commitment, with the behaviour.

“Also we need to continue in our process and our progress also every player and our work.”

Comments

London club keen on signing £45m-rated France international

Arsenal desperate to sign PSG midfielder Adrien Rabiot and set to battle with Chelsea, Barcelona and Liverpool for the player. Gunners have problems in the midfield as Aaron Ramsey preparing to change the working place and his replacement is necessary. France international is the best option in this situation as he started this season excellently and proved his greatness one more time. Unai will do everything to add him during this winter transfer window. Blues, Blaugrana and Reds also keen to sign him and there will be a real battle for the footballer. His price could increase and become much more. Rabiot is a product of the Parisians youth academy and spent his current career with them. He is one of the best midfielders in Ligue 1 and unchanged figure for the club. In this campaign, Adrien already played 20 matches, scored 2 goals and made 2 assists in all competition. This is an impressive result and he can improve his consequences during th...

Arsenal midfielder Ozil in doubt for Blackpool

Mesut Özil is in doubt for Arsenal's FA Cup third-round tie with Blackpool on Sunday. The German has not played since being substituted at half-time in the Boxing Day draw with Brighton. He has been sidelined with a knee injury ever since, missing out on matches against Liverpool and Fulham. And Emery has hinted he could spend another week on the sidelines to recover. When asked if Oil would be involved against the League One outfit, the Spaniard told reporters at London Colney: "This morning, he didn't train.

Emery confirms worrying transfer news for Arsenal on Thursday

Arsenal manager Unai Emery has confirmed some worrying news for Arsenal fans with less than three weeks now left in the January transfer window. The Arsenal boss managed to sign several players during the summer but most of the deals were for a cheap price, significantly lesser than what rivals Chelsea and Liverpool were paying for their new signings. Club owner Stan Kroenke has been criticised by most fans for refusing to spend enough money when needed in the transfer market. Following the recent 5-1 humiliation away to Liverpool in the Premier League which exposed most of the team’s serious problems, several fans have been calling for signings to be made this month. However, speaking on transfers at his press conference on Thursday morning, Unai Emery revealed that the club is not financially capable of making any permanent purchases of players at the moment. Thus, the Arsenal boss insists that loans deal will be the Gunners’ best bet in the January transfer windo...

Arsenal

Search This Blog