These Arsenal fans seem convinced there’s more than meets the eye as Mesut Ozil is reportedly missing today’s game against West Ham through illness.
Various accounts, among those the respected Arsenal blog Arseblog, have claimed the Germany international is ill and didn’t train yesterday, leaving him unavailable for selection at the Emirates Stadium this afternoon.
MORE: Unai Emery issues stern message to Arsenal star amid ongoing uncertainty over his future
Not every Gooner is convinced, however, with some talking up an apparent rumour that Ozil and manager Unai Emery clashed on the training ground, and that the Spaniard has now dropped him.
https://twitter.com/arseblog/status/1033340676589670401
So apparently Mesut Ozil and Unai Emery have had a major bust up behind closed doors according to some reports he is not in the squad today it appears now we have a war between player vs manager like Manchester Utd have atm!
— NP (@NickPowch1995) August 25, 2018
Emery replaced the long-serving Arsene Wenger as Gunners boss this summer, and is known for being something more of a disciplinarian than his easy-going predecessor.
He wasn’t afraid to drag Ozil off after a poor performance in the defeat to Chelsea last week, where Wenger might previously have allowed his star to complete the 90 minutes so not to dent his confidence.
There’s been a mixed response, with some worried but some praising Emery for taking a stand, if that is what’s happened.
Could these Arsenal fans have a point about Ozil’s absence today, then?
https://twitter.com/NoahMillerAFC/status/1033341342557134849
https://twitter.com/Arditj_/status/1033340609858363392
https://twitter.com/jeremybassat/status/1033340486046679045
https://twitter.com/Clayton_1886/status/1033339623920095233
https://twitter.com/WillTheGooner/status/1033341810658164736
https://twitter.com/TakeaBowPires/status/1033341242678157312
https://twitter.com/Muyeezus/status/1033338923894943745