Recent Arsenal ace points to post-Wenger issues behind Ozil debacle

Former Arsenal stalwart Laurent Koscielny has seemingly taken the side of Mesut Ozil in his bizarre battle with the club, stating: “it was more complicated with Unai Emery and Mikel Arteta.”

The Gunners made the curious decision to leave Ozil out of their 25-man Premier League squad last week.

The 32-year-old playmaker is the club’s highest earner, but fell out of favour with Mikel Arteta following football’s June restart.

Ozil’s snub has courted impassioned reaction from all corners, with the player’s agent insisting other Arsenal players are ‘shocked’ at the handling of the situation.

Now, former Arsenal centre-half Koscielny has spoken to French outlet L’Equipe and thrown his backing behind the player.

“As a man, he’s a very good person, who got along with all his teammates,” said the nine-year Gunners veteran (via Sport Witness).

“He gave a lot, helped sick children. He is a generous person, with whom I got along very well.

“As a player, he is in my opinion a phenomenon. He can find passes that no one sees, he’s a maestro. He can rock a game with incredible passes.”

“We’re both part of the ‘Arsene Wenger Generation’.

 

“The coach loved him as a player. It was more complicated with Unai Emery and Mikel Arteta.

“Knowing him, he must always be professional in training, always on time. He is undoubtedly at the level demanded by the Premier League.

“There is probably a certain case with the club since last year, I hope both sides find a deal that works for everyone. He is a competitor.

“I hope to see him back on the pitch soon, at Arsenal or elsewhere, because he is real talent.”

 

Arsenal winger influential in Gabriel move

Meanwhile, defender Gabriel Magalhaes says new teammate Nicolas Pepe was a key reason behind his decision to make the move to Arsenal.

The Gunners have been crying out for a commanding presence at the back. And Gabriel’s early performances suggest they may have finally found their man.

While other top Premier League sides have conceded goals galore in the early part of the season, Arsenal have kept it tight at the back.

Gabriel has played in four of their opening five league games. And in those matches, Arsenal have conceded just three times.

The Brazilian also helped them keep a clean sheet in the EFL tie at Liverpool and scored in the opening 3-0 win at Fulham.

But Gabriel could have been plying his trade elsewhere but for several key conversations with Gunners Ivorian winger Pepe.

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