Emery: Bournemouth intensity behind Ozil omission
Arsenal midfielder Mesut Ozil was left on the bench at Bournemouth due to Unai Emery's worries over how he would handle a "demanding" match.
Posted Monday, November 26, 2018 by fourfourtwo.com
Unai Emery cited concern over Bournemouth's intense approach as the reason he overlooked Mesut Ozil in Arsenal's 2-1 win at the Vitality Stadium.
Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang hit the winner in the 67th minute to extend the visitors' unbeaten run to 17 matches in all competitions.
Playmaker Ozil watched the entire 90 minutes from the bench and was not present as the other substitutes warmed up half-time.
The 30-year-old has not always been an automatic starter under Emery this season and could struggle to win back his place after Arsenal successfully switched to a three-man defence on Sunday.
"We thought about how we can be better in the match," Emery explained in his post-match news conference.
"With a very demanding match physically, with [Bournemouth's] intensity against us, we decided [to leave Ozil out].
"But every player is important. Also, we tried with three centre-backs. It's another opportunity to improve and find our best performance."
The Gunners' next Premier League assignment is a north London derby date with Tottenham at Emirates Stadium.
An Arsenal victory would move them level on 30 points with Spurs, but their head coach is focused solely on the preceding Europa League trip to Ukrainian side Vorskla.
"We are playing Thursday in the Europa League and it's important also," he told Sky Sports.
"At the moment we're first in the group and we want to finish first after the six matches. We are going to think about that.
"Sunday is a very important match, very big match for us and also for the Premier League it's very important. It's the first competition for us.
"We are going to prepare our way, little by little, step by step, think first about Thursday and then Sunday."
Photos
More»
Eugenie Bouchard sends fans wild in barely-there bikini
Friday April 19 2024
Paige Spiranac shows off underboob in new racy snap
Friday April 19 2024
Ex-Barcelona WAG strips completely naked
Thursday April 18 2024
Your Say