IF LOOKS COULD ZIL
Mesut Ozil’s rant at end of drab Arsenal defeat to Brighton was at boss Ljungberg and NOT Lacazette, claims Hargreaves
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MESUT OZIL'S rant at the end of Arsenal's drab defeat to Brighton was aimed at interim boss Freddie Ljungberg, NOT Alexandre Lacazette as some had suggested.
That is the view of former Manchester United and Bayern Munich midfielder Owen Hargreaves, who claimed the German's performance during the 2-1 loss meant he was wrong to throw a tantrum.
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Arsenal's defeat to Brighton mean the Gunners are on their worst run of form for 42 YEARS and are without a win in nine games.
Goals from Adam Webster and Neal Maupay either side of Lacazette's equaliser saw the North Londoners slip to tenth in the table.
After the full-time whistle, Ozil became involved in a heated exchange with former teammate Per Mertesacker as he left the pitch.
As the 31-year-old was helped to the sidelines by Matteo Guendouzi he appeared to shout "Laca! Laca!" while he threw his hands in the air.
Though fans assumed this meant that Ozil was annoyed with Lacazette, Hargreaves believes his anger was aimed at Ljungberg for substituting the French striker when Arsenal were in search of a goal.
He said: "You can’t play that way and be critical of the coaching staff.
"If he plays with his heart on his sleeve you could accept it, obviously if Freddie say that he wouldn’t be happy.’
To have that reaction… I love Mesut Ozil more than anyone, but he didn’t do enough in the game to warrant that reaction
Owen Hargreaves
"I don’t think it was aimed at Per, it was aimed at Freddie.
"He didn’t do enough, Mesut Ozil.
";To have that reaction… I love Mesut Ozil more than anyone, but he didn’t do enough in the game to warrant that reaction.
"I love him in a functioning team, he’s one of the best creators and best passers we’ve had in the Premier League. He is, he can do that.
"As a football player he’s a beautiful player to watch but his intensity levels aren’t good enough at this level.
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"Too many managers have accommodated that and that’s why he struts around and plays that way.
"But essentially if Freddie is going to say ‘I’m going to play you, Mesut, but I need you to lead’. He didn’t, definitely not.
"If you’re a manager at some point there’s got to be consequences for the player. That’s unacceptable."
Fans leave early as boos ring around The Emirates as Arsenal lose at home to Brighton
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