Keown warns Ozil that Arsenal’s Invincibles would have ‘had him by the throat’ over his attitude
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ARSENAL legend Martin Keown insisted the Gunners “invincibles” side would have had Mesut Ozil “by the throat” over the German’s attitude.
The 31-year-old playmaker has made just two appearances for Unai Emery this season, not even making the matchday squad on five occasions.
And ex-Arsenal skipper Keown, who guided the Gunners to an unbeaten season in 2004, told talkSPORT the players of his era would not stand for Ozil’s demina.
He said: “I feel at times he has been disdainful with his team-mates if he doesn’t get the right ball.
“To be honest, if he was in our dressing room there were a few players who would have had him round the throat early on because of his body language.”
Despite the lack of football this season, Ozil insists he wants to stay at the Emirates until his contract expires in 2021.
And boss Emery challenged the £350,000 a week midfielder to prove he is worthy of making the starting 11.
But with a series of matches missed throughout the past few season through illness and injury, Keown joked he was concerned about the club’s highest earner’s health.
He added: “I was seriously worried for his immune system, the amount of games he missed through allegedly being ill, or a back injury.
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“He has only been given another opportunity with Emery because it looks like he has started to work hard again.
“I believe he has been over-indulged in the past. It’s embarrassing for the football club that he is not featuring.
“The manager has to get him back into the team but if his attitude drops again then big decisions need to be made.”
