This archive report was first published on 27 October 2019.
October 27, 2019 - Arsenal manager Unai Emery has come under fire for his decision to freeze out Mesut Ozil from the team, but the Spaniard has defended his move, stating that it was a collective decision made with the club's top brass.
Despite being Arsenal's top earner, Ozil has started just one Premier League match and another in the League Cup, leading to speculation about his future at the Emirates.
Emery has insisted that the decision to exclude Ozil was not taken lightly, and that the team's performance is the top priority.
"Here we have one agreed strategy as a club and a team. Because the most important thing is the club, the team and finding a performance," Emery said in a statement.
Meanwhile, Arsenal will host Crystal Palace on Sunday, October 27, and it remains unlikely that Ozil will be handed minutes of action.
