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Glen Johnson blasts Arsenal star ahead of Frankfurt clash

Will Butcher

Thu 19 September 2019 12:15, UK

Glen Johnson has told TalkSPORT (Thursday, 10:55) that Unai Emery does not see Arsenal star Mesut Ozil in his plans, after the Spanish manager claimed he has left Ozil out of the Frankfurt trip to rest him.

Ozil, 30, made his first appearance of the season on Sunday as Arsenal surrendered a 2-0 lead to draw 2-2 with Watford. He managed 71 minutes of the clash, after missing the prior four Premier League outings of the campaign.

Emery as saying that he has chosen not to bring the former Real Madrid playmaker to Germany with him to face Frankfurt in order to rest him – despite playing just 71 minutes all season. Arsenal face Aston Villa on Sunday.

“We are going to play another match on Sunday. My decision is because he played, and I decided who the players are who can be the best for tomorrow, and also the players not, and those are Sokratis and Mesut,”

Former Liverpool and England defender Johnson has claimed that Ozil is not a prt of Emery’s plans, and that Arsenal simply do not want the retired Germany international at The Emirates – mainly because of his enormous wages.

“No I don’t think he’s a part of Emery’s plans,” Johnson said. “Players get rested on the bench, even if you’re injured, you’d travel. Ozil is a top, top player. It blows my mind he isnt getting in the team.

“But for whatever reason, Emery and Ozil are bashing their heads together, it doesn’t make sense. If it was purely for rest, he’d still travel. But the fact he’s played 70 minutes, shows that he isn’t in Emery’s plans. I do question what goes on between his ears. I don’t think they want him there.“

TBR’s view – Something is wrong, and it will only be resolved one way

The only way the situation surrounding Ozil and whether or not he needs resting, is for the midfielder to finally leave Arsenal.

He earns too much at the Emirates, far more than he is worth to the north Londoners. Emery needs to get rid of him at the first available opportunity – unless he can finally begin to deliver what he is capable of.