Emery happy to let Ozil sit it out

UNAI EMERY is ready to use Mesut Ozil sparingly in Arsenal’s away fixtures — a move that further undermines the German’s role at the club. Ozil was a shock omission from the side that beat Bournemouth 2-1 on Sunday, with Emery expressing his concern that the 30-year-old midfielder would struggle to cope with the physical demands of what proved an intense clash. And the Arsenal manager is planning to drop Ozil to the bench for other away matches should he feel his side need more physicality and workrate. So the player who earns £350,000 per week is no longer a guaranteed starter — something that would have been unthinkable during Arsene Wenger’s reign. Emery is believed to have been disappointed by Ozil’s performance in the 2-2 draw at Crystal Palace earlier this month. Ozil (right) was substituted at Selhurst Park, after which he threw a minitantrum. His performance that day has confirmed Emery’s belief that his star midfielder is not cut out for certain away trips. Emery still views Ozil as an integral member of his squad. Equally, given his status as the club’s best-paid player, the manager is aware of the impact not starting Ozil carries. But Emery has already demonstrated since his arrival in north London in the summer that he will make decisions in order to get results on a match-by-match basis. It remains to be seen whether Ozil returns for Sunday’s derby against Tottenham — Emery’s first as manager — or even against Vorskla Poltava in the Europa League on Thursday.