Arsenal manager Unai Emery has reiterated the importance of Mesut Ozil to the Gunners despite his struggles for playing time over the past few months. The former Germany international recently returned to the matchday squad against Chelsea after an extended absence with a knee injury but he remained an unused substitute through the game.
Speaking after the derby triumph, Emery admitted that the German was fit enough to feature against the Blues but he decided against picking him from the bench. However, he added that the midfielder remains an important player within the ranks and he could participate for the Gunners during the forthcoming run of matches.
He quipped: “Today he was OK to play but we decided not to play him. I spoke with him. I wanted him to be ready for the match today and for the next matches with the spirit like all the players in the team. Today I have the confidence with him if he played. I think he could do like we wanted. The next matches we are going to need every player and also his quality.”
Against Chelsea, “Aaron Ramsey was entrusted with the third attacking role alongside Alexandre Lacazette“and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang but as the game progressed, he was generally man-marking midfielder Jorginho with good effect. As such, the north London club romped to a comfortable 2-0 triumph in the end and the victory has encouraged their Champions League hopes for next season with “just three points separating“ them from fourth-placed Chelsea.
Arsenal’s next game comes against Manchester United in the FA Cup fourth round and it will be interesting to see whether Ozil gets the nod to feature from the off. The front combination of Lacazette and Aubameyang worked to good means during the recent derby triumph over the Blues but Emery has suggested that may not be the case for every match.