The German’s time at the Emirates looks like it could be nearing an end but his manager is giving nothing away
Arsenal coach Unai Emery refused to weigh in on transfer speculation surrounding Gunners midfielder Mesut Ozil.
Fresh reports have emerged that the Gunners are looking to send 30-year-old out on loan in January with the German featuring just twice so far for the club this season.
Asked about Ozil’s future, Emery kept his cards close to his chest and failed to confirm if he was in frame to play in Arsenal’s upcoming Europa League clash against Standard Liege.
“He’s our player now,” Emery said of Ozil on Wednesday.
“We are going to train and after we are going to decide. I am going to decide the best first XI and in the squad also the best who can help us.”
After guiding the Gunners to the Europa League final last season where they lost to Chelsea, Emery’s love affair with the competition looks set to continue.
The Spaniard won the competition three times with Sevilla and he believes the Europa League is a great opportunity for his players.
“I want to feel that not just me loves this competition, that everybody loves it,” he said.
“We want to do something important. It’s one title, one way to the Champions League.
“We are going to play very good matches, we started against a great team, playing a very good match away. The response of the young players was amazing, one example is Bukayo [Saka].”
Arsenal’s club-record signing Nicolas Pepe has been criticised for his performances since arriving at the Emirates but Emery is adamant he’ll find his feet over time.
“He needs to play, get confidence, know progressively better the other players,” Emery said.
“Every player needs time when they arrive here. Young players or players as important as Pepe. I was speaking with him and [Dani] Ceballos. The Premier League is a very strong competition. It is the best competition and the strongest competition in the world. Liverpool with Man City are the two best teams of the moment, they are very physical.
“We need quality and the adaptation to play at that intensity. Because you need to think quickly, to move the ball quickly or keep the ball with strong intensity around you. We are in that process and Pepe, is the same.”
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