Paul Merson comments on Arsenal duo Unai Emery and Mesut Ozil

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Arsenal star Mesut Ozil was substituted against Liverpool at Anfield on Wednesday.

Paul Merson has given his take in The Daily Star why Arsenal manager Unai Emery did not let Mesut Ozil play the entire match against Liverpool.

The German attacking midfielder returned to the Arsenal team on Wednesday evening when he started the EFL Cup against Liverpool at Anfield.

The former Real Madrid star was playing well and was showing some wonderful touches, but he was substituted in the 65th minute.

After the match, Arsenal manager Emery said that it had been pre-planned to take the 31-year-old off in the second half, as quoted in The Mirror.

However, former Arsenal star Merson, who now works as a pundit for Sky Sports, has slammed Emery for his decision, and has his own theory why the substitution was made.

Merson wrote in The Daily Star: “Emery takes him off with 25 minutes to go! It’s like he only took him off because he was playing too well.

“It’s like he was worried that Ozil was playing so well he’d have to keep picking him, and Emery can’t have that because he’s trying to get him out. It’s childish.”

Back in action

Arsenal will return to action on Saturday afternoon when they take on Wolverhampton Wanderers at the Emirates Stadium in North London in the Premier League.

It will be interesting to see if Ozil starts the match. If the German does feature, then it will enhance the chances of the Gunners getting the better of Wolves.