Arsenal manager Unai Emery responded to reports that Mesut Ozil could be headed for an Emirates exit by playing down the rumors and making it clear he could be back in the team on Saturday against Chelsea.
Speaking at Colney, Emery said the following at his pre-match press conference against of the London derby against the Blues: “I spoke with him, I want big consistency with him. He had big injuries.
“These injuries, sometimes he’s ok, sometimes he’s not ok. I want [from] every player the same work everyday, to be ok for every matches.
“For him it’s the same, he didn’t play the last matches. He’s like another player. This Saturday can be, if he’s ok, a possibility to be with us.”
Ozil has been linked with a move away from the North London based outfit after rumours of a falling out with Emery.
The Arsenal boss left him out of Saturday’s 1-0 defeat at West Ham which was interpreted by sections of the media and fanbase as being a snub considering he trained with the team.
There are reports that Ozil has been frozen out of the team, with Emery claiming he has left him out for ‘tactical reasons’.
Ozil has however, been struggling with back and knee injuries which could explain why he has not been playing recently.
The playmaker of Turkish origin has been training after recovering from his knee injury and is expected to be match fit over the weekend.