NO WAY BACK AS EMERY GROUNDS OZIL
MESUT OZIL was left behind in London as his Arsenal career hit rock bottom.
Unai Emery did not even put Ozil in the 18-man travelling squad to Belarus for their Europa League tie – despite the £350,000-a-week star being fully fit to play.
Gunners boss Emery was frustrated after Ozil pulled out of Arsenal’s win at Huddersfield on Saturday, which meant he has now missed as many games as he has played this season. Emery has clearly got tough with the German World Cup winner even though Ozil then posted pictures of himself in training on social media in a clear message that he was fit.
The 30-year-old, who has made just 18 appearances this season despite being the club’s top earner, said: “Today’s winning team. Training fun.” He added: “team spirit” and “we are the Arsenal.”
The Gunners are desperate to offload Ozil because he has fallen down the pecking and has missed games with various excuses including illness, a knee injury and bad back this season.
The latest fall-out is in danger of overshadowing Arsenal’s Europa League campaign, but it is difficult to see a way back for Ozil under Emery.
Meanwhile, in Belarus, Petr
Cech claims winning the Europa League with the Gunners would be the ideal way to sign off his glittering career. Cech (above) has won 14 trophies with Arsenal and Chelsea but wants to end on a high with one more piece of silverware.
The 36-year-old won this competition with the Blues six years ago and should start against BATE Borisov in tonight’s last 32.
Cech, who retires at the end of the season, said: “That would be an ideal scenario for me to finish my career.
“Winning the Europa League would provide a great memory and it can book you a Champions League place, so a lot to play for.”