Mikel Arteta backed over Arsenal Mesut Ozil saga thanks to Unai Emery after Tottenham loss

Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta is right not to utilise Mesut Ozil’s talents because the fact Unai Emery also snubbed the German shows there “must be something” behind the scenes, believes Jamie Carragher.

The Gunners have lost six of 11 Premier League matches this season and their latest disappointment came in the north London derby on Sunday.

Arsenal were beaten 2-0 by Jose Mourinho’s Tottenham, with Son Heung-min and Harry Kane both scoring in the first half, in a performance Carragher labelled “awful” and a “shambles”.

Arteta’s goal-shy side have scored just seven times in 10 top-flight games since beating Fulham on the opening weekend and sit 15th in the table.

The Londoners have struggled to create goalscoring opportunities throughout the campaign with their Spanish manager criticised for ignoring Ozil in his 25-man Premier League squad.

The World Cup-winning playmaker is unable to play for Arsenal again this season unless Arteta changes his stance on Ozil and reintroduces him to the squad in February.

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But despite their struggles opening up defences, Liverpool legend Carragher said on Sky Sports’ Monday Night Football that given Emery also did not play Ozil regularly during his time in charge.

Arteta’s predecessor, who was sacked in November 2019 after 18 months in charge, earlier this year criticised Ozil’s “attitude and commitment”.

He said: “In the end he has to look at himself. I tried my utmost to help Ozil.

“I was always positive with him in terms of wanting him to be involved, but then the attitude that he adopted, and the commitment levels, well, they weren’t enough.”

And Carragher, asked about whether Arteta needs to backtrack on Ozil, declared: “I don’t think the answer’s bringing Ozil in.

“I think when three managers decide not to fully back him, Unai Emery, you [Ljungberg] used him more than those managers did but you had the situation when he came off and threw his gloves in one game.

“Mikel Arteta doesn’t use him. Two managers, maybe three with yourself [Ljungberg], are they all wrong? Really?