MORE BENCH TIME FOR OZIL AS EMERY GETS TOUGH

MESUT OZIL is facing an uncertain future at Arsenal with the prospect of spending more time on the bench at away games.

Gunners boss Unai Emery dropped Ozil for Sunday’s win at Bournemouth, amid questions about his work rate and the physical demands of tough trips. Emery was understood to be particularly disappointed with Ozil’s contribution to the draw at Crystal Palace last month and that was the reason behind his absence on Sunday.

Bournemouth was Arsenal’s first away game since Palace, and Ozil was left on the bench and did not even warm up, because he knew he was not coming on.

Emery is demanding of his players and stresses the importance of work rate, particularly in away games, and his decision to leave out Ozil sends a clear message.

The 30-year-old (left), who was also subbed in Arsenal’s previous home game against Wolves, is the club’s top earner on £350,000 a week, but knows he is no longer an automatic choice because of the away-game issue.

Emery (right) has studied Ozil’s contribution in great detail and the German superstar is well aware of why he was left out – and feared it was coming.