Arsenal news: Graeme Souness praises Unai Emery over Mesut Ozil treatment

Arsenal news: Graeme Souness praises Unai Emery over Mesut Ozil treatment
Unai Emery’s approach to dealing with Mesut Ozil is sending out a clear message to the rest of the Arsenal squad, Graeme Souness believes.Writing in his Sunday Times column, former Liverpool midfielder Souness praised Emery for treating a so-called ‘star’ player like he is just another member of the team.He has been willing to drop Ozil when he knows the German midfielder will be a hindrance rather than a help, but he has also rewarded the 30-year-old by letting him captain the side – as he did for Tuesday’s defeat of Cardiff.2

Ozil was handed the armband earlier this week

That match was just the 18th Ozil has featured in this season, and it was also his first league appearance of 2019.While some of his absences have been due to various injury problems, Emery has used a tough love approach with the 30-year-old to keep him and the rest of the Arsenal squad in check.“I have been impressed by how Emery handled Mesut Ozil,” Souness writes. “He has not been afraid to drop the German, who goes through the motions at times.“He has sent out a message of ‘its my way or no way’. “If you tolerate that from a ‘star’ player, then its an excuse for the rest to go down the same road, and that will get you nowhere.“Emery has confronted that, but when you take on big players you have to be winning games.“By making Ozil captain for Tuesdays win over Cardiff City, the Arsenal manager used the carrot after the stick, saying: ‘Theres still a place for you, show me you have a future here’.”Arsenal dropped out the Premier League’s top four on Saturday as Chelsea thrashed Huddersfield 5-0 to move back into the final Champions League qualification place.The Gunners are unlikely to return to fourth place today – they must beat Manchester City 5-0 to do so – but they are certain to remain top four contenders for the remainder of the season.2

Emery’s debut season with Arsenal has been a relative success so far

“There are encouraging signs from Arsenal under Unai Emery,” Souness continues, “yet the quality to challenge for the Premier League is not there.“Emery comes across well and Arsenal have a good manager there, but he did not inherit a strong squad from Arsne Wenger and needs to be lucky with his recruitment in the next few transfer windows.“That, and how much patience the board have, will determine where he takes them.”

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Dusan Tadic has set the Bernabeu on fire to inspire what could be an almighty Champions League shock. Ajax stunned Real Madrid by taking a two-goal lead in the second leg of their last-16 clash, which gives the Dutch club a 3-2 advantage on aggregate. 1 Dusan Tadic and Hakim Ziyech celebrate And if Madrid…
~ Real Madrid 1-4 Ajax: Dusan Tadic masterclass sees Dutch

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And what of Aaron Ramsey's Arsenal future? Has the Welshman agreed a deal with Juventus for the summer? Here we'll guide you through the day's top transfer rumours from around the world. Keep up to date with the latest news, features and exclusives from football.london via the free football.london app for iPhone and Android
Transfer news live: Juve offer Ramsey huge - football.london

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Moussa Sissoko has hinted that Tottenham boss Mauricio Pochettino could leave the club this summer. The Argentine has indicated that he may leave the club after the Champions League final.

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Nuno Espirito Santo has remained coy on Wolves' rumoured pursuit of Chelsea striker Tammy Abraham. The 21-year-old forward is currently on loan at Aston Villa, where a sensational run of goalscoring form has seen him become the Championship's joint-top scorer despite missing the first six games of the season.
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Nottingham Forest have appointed club legend Martin O'Neill as their new manager. O'Neill replaces Aitor Karanka, who left the club last Friday, and will be tasked with leading Forest into the
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Leigh Griffiths may miss the match because of a hamstring injury, his place in the Celtic team most likely taken by Moussa Dembele Rangers and Celtic approach Saturday's Old Firm game from

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Chelsea boss Maurizio Sarri 'unprofessional' for barely

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A football fan is to stand trial for allegedly punching three police horses on his way to the Scottish Cup match last week. Kevin McGuire, 35, is accused of "causing unnecessary suffering" to Nerston, Oban and Glasgow on January 19, 2019 at Kinloch Street, on his way to see Celtic play Airdieonians at Parkhead.

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