‘One of the best’: Deeney says Arteta is poorly managing Arsenal player

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Watford star Troy Deeney has claimed Arsenal misfit Mesut Ozil “hasn’t done anything wrong” and questioned whether the situation is a case of “poor management”, speaking to talkSPORT.

The Gunners have had a poor start to the season, winning just four of their first nine league games. They had to settle for a draw at the weekend against Leeds United and, once again, even taking Pepe’s sending off into account, their main issue was lack of creativity.

Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang isn’t getting the kind of service he needs to flourish. Arsenal’s other attackers are also struggling and Deeney feels the Gunners have one player who can solve the issue.

The Watford man feels Aubameyang would thrive with the German playing behind him and has questioned Mikel Arteta’s management of the situation.

Deeney said: “It’s a shame. I said last week, and I got battered for it, he’s one of the best players I’ve played against.

“I think he’s very good and I think Aubameyang and players like that would thrive off someone like that slipping balls in. He sees passes others can’t. Ronaldo said he was the second-best player in Spain after himself.

“There’s obviously an issue with his wages and he’s in the last year of his contract. They may have said something to the effect of: ‘We want you to take a pay cut.’ But as player you think: ‘Why? I didn’t force you. I didn’t put a gun to your head and say offer me this money.’ He hasn’t done anything wrong.

“Something has definitely happened because he’s fallen off the face of the Earth and he’s not even made the 25-man squad.

“You could make the argument, is that poor management? Because having him in the 25 at least would allow you to put him in.”

Ozil’s Arsenal career looks to have come to a sad end. But that appears to be hurting the Gunners too.

Arsenal had just one big chance against Leeds on Sunday and that was created by Hector Bellerin.

The Gunners’ midfield seem unable to thread the ball through to free the likes of Aubameyang. That’s something Ozil could thrive at – if Arteta played him.