Ozil’s back but Ramsey could miss Euro clash
MESUT OZIL has recovered from his latest illness but Aaron Ramsey is a doubt to face BATE Borisov tomorrow after missing training this morning because of a knee problem.
Ozil was ruled out of Saturday’s 2-1 win at Huddersfield after he reported sick and the no-show raised further questions about his Arsenal future.
But the midfielder, who has missed games due to illness, back problems, a knee injury and for tactical reasons, made himself available to travel to Belarus with the rest of the squad for the Europa League last-32, first-leg tie after training this morning.
Ozil, who earns £350,000 a week, has now missed as many matches as he has played this season and the situation is increasingly becoming a problem for Unai Emery.
The Arsenal manager has dropped the German on tactical grounds fo r a number of difficult away games this season and it has become clear that he does not trust the 30-year-old against high-energy opposition.
Ramsey’s omission would be a blow, coming on the back of his announcement this week that he will join Juventus when his contract with Arsenal ends in the summer.
Juventus director Fabio Paratici added to the controversy over his departure by saying the midfielder has never been used in his best position by Arsenal during his 11 years at the Gunners.
Paratici said: “Ramsey is a player who, in my opinion, has never found his position, because he has never played as an offensive midfielder in a three, which is his role.
“He is more technical, he is a final ball man, he has a nose for the goal.
“He is a different player from what we have got, we do not have someone like him in our squad.”
Despite the possible absence of Ramsey, Emery is expected to name a strong team against BATE Borisov because Arsenal have this weekend off having been knocked out of the FA Cup by Manchester United.
Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang trained with the rest of the squad this morning and is fit to play after he missed the Huddersfield win because he was under the weather.
Meanwhile, midfielder Granit Xhaka is fit again following a groin injury.
Petr Cech and Bernd Leno both trained today and Emery will decide who to start in goal tomorrow.