“Arsenal dont need Alexis and Ozil” – Ex-Gunner roasts contract rebel duo following Chelsea draw

Mesut Ozil has been slammed by pundits yet again despite not playing a minute of football over the weekend.

The 28-year-old sat out of Arsenal’s 0-0 draw with their London rivals Chelsea on Sunday afternoon. Ozil was sidelined with an injury and was also sidelined for the Gunners 3-1 win over FC Koln.

According to former Arsenal defender Martin Keown, Arsenal do not need contract rebels Mesut Ozil and Alexis Sanchez.

Keown has been Ozil’s biggest critic this season and can’t seem to give the 28-year-old a break even when he misses a game.

Arsenal put on a competent performance over the weekend despite not starting with either Alexis Sanchez or Ozil.

See More: ‘Elephant in the room. Team much better without Ozil’ – Arsenal fans react to team display against Chelsea without star playmaker

“There has been so much fear at Arsenal of losing Alexis Sanchez and Mesut Ozil,” former Gunners defender Keown told the Daily Mail.

“This excellent performance at Chelsea without them made you wonder what all the fuss was about.

“Without these two, Arsenal were much better defensively. They were disciplined, worked together and pressed as a unit to close down Chelsea.

“This was the first time that Chelsea have failed to score at Stamford Bridge under Antonio Conte. When Chelsea were in possession, Arsenal put them under such pressure they made Gary Cahill look like he could not pass.

“How many times do you see Sanchez flying forward to press and no one coming to join him? Arsene Wenger has not been brave enough to leave out Ozil but how much does he offer the team?

“With midfielders working around him, Aaron Ramsey was able to get on the ball more. He ran the show in midfield and it was his best display for years.

“For this Arsenal team, it was a chance to step up and prove that they did not need Sanchez and Ozil to perform.”

Both Mesut Ozil and Alexis Sanchez have under 10 months remaining on their contracts with Arsenal. The duo could end up leaving the club for free next summer unless they can strike a new deal with the Gunners.