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.
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 ‘it’s my way or no way’.
“If you tolerate that from a ‘star’ player, then it’s 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 Tuesday’s win over Cardiff City, the Arsenal manager used the carrot after the stick, saying: ‘There’s 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.
“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 Arsène 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.”