Unai Emery Leaves Ozil Out Of Squad To Face Spurs Due To ‘Tactical Reasons’

By The Editor
on 19th December 2018

Unai Emery’s shaky relationship with Ozil brought to the surface once again…

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Unai Emery has left Mesut Ozil out of the squad to play Spurs in the Carabao Cup quarter-final and this time, the club hasn’t even attempted to cover up his absence with a mysterious injury.

The club has told reporters that the German is out of the squad due to ‘tactical reasons’ which is rather bizarre given the stature of the player we’re discussing.

So, Mesut Ozil out for 'tactical reasons.

— Charles Watts (@charles_watts) December 19, 2018

Ozil may well not be good enough to start this game, but accepting that he can’t offer anything during the 90 minutes reaks of a deeper issue between Emery and the 30-year-old.

Ozil has been left out of a few squads this season, with the first one coming in our second league game at home against West Ham in August.

It was a shock decision given that Ozil started the previous two matches against Man City and Chelsea, and Emery claimed at the time that the former Real Madrid man was ‘sick’.

Back problems have also been cited for his other absences though it seems Emery is tired of giving excuses.

Upon his arrival, Ozil’s role in the team was immediately questioned given that the Spaniard’s preference for a 4-3-3 system with the team engaging in a high press.

Ozil only operates in one system – 4-2-3-1 with him as the central figure. Unfortunately for Ozil, it’s a system that doesn’t really exist among the top clubs in world football.

You can’t get away with not working your socks off out of possession in the modern game. This issue seems to be heading one way, and that’s ending with one of the two parties being shown the door.