Mesut Ozil BLASTED by Arsenal icon Alex Scott before half time exit - 'No heart or desire'
Posted Thursday, December 27, 2018 by Express.co.uk
Mesut Ozil was substituted at half time of Arsenal's visit to Brighton (Image: GETTY)
ARSENAL star Mesut Ozil was once again singled out for criticism during the Gunners’ Boxing Day clash at Brighton.
Ozil started a Premier League away game for Arsenal for the first time since October at the Amex.
But it was not a happy afternoon for the German World Cup winner who was substituted at half time by head coach Unai Emery.
Arsenal took the lead early on through the league’s top scorer Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang.
But despite dominating the majority of the first half, Brighton went into the break level through Jurgen Locadia.
The striker rounded Gunners goalkeeper Bernd Leno and slotted into the empty net after a swift counter attack.
At half time, former Arsenal Women captain Alex Scott noticed how Ozil did not track Locadia back after an Arsenal corner.
And she said it showed a lack of desire from the 30-year-old midfielder.
“I just want to point out right here when we look at the corner, Mesut Ozil and Locadia,” Scott said on Sky Sports.
“Locadia runs the whole length of the pitch and this is where the debate is out with Mesut Ozil.
“Doing that other side, the defensive work when it’s needed. He stops running there, doesn’t track, and that player Locadia who has run past him the whole length of the pitch goes on to score.
“I suppose it just comes from that heart and desire to want to do that other side of the game.”
Former Arsenal and Brighton midfielder Steve Sidwell says Ozil would have worked harder if it was his side on the attack.
Mesut Ozil was also criticised before the game by Scott and Sidwell for his pre-match attire (Image: GETTY)
“The thing is if you don’t track back what you do is you open your mouth and you give your team-mate a chance,” Sidwell said.
“He didn’t chance to [Matteo] Guendouzi once. Guendouzi found out he was there when he tapped it in the net.
“The thing is if it was flipped around and they were on the attack, then you know Ozil is going to sprint.”
- Tag:
- Mesut Ozil
- Arsenal
- EPL
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