‘No issues’ with Mesut says Arteta
BRIGHTON V ARSENAL 3PM
MIKEL ARTETA has offered Mesut Ozil an olive branch – but warned he must sharpen up to regain his place.
Arsenal’s top earner could not even make the 20-man squad at Manchester City on Wednesday. The manager called Ozil before the game to tell him that he did not think he was sharp enough and wanted more from him.
But Arteta has made it clear that the German World Cup winner is still in his plans.
Ozil posted a tweet of defiance after the City game – a picture of him holding the Arsenal badge saying “No matter what” – and is hoping to be in the squad for the trip to Brighton.
Arteta said: “What I need from him is what he has given me on the pitch when I have started him in most of the games. That’s all.
“What I can tell you is that it was a completely fine, honest and clear conversation. There were no issues.
“There’s a lot that’s happened to him in the last few weeks. I’m the first one who wants Mesut at his best.”
Graham Potter refuses to set targets for Brighton over the coming weeks. The Seagulls boss said: “You can drive yourself mad predicting the future or hoping what will happen or setting little mini-targets.
“We just have to focus on the game, focus on the next match. We have to do as well as we can, try to win and, if we can’t win, pick up something.”