Mourinho told to watch and learn from how Emery is handling of Arsenal's 'Pogba situation'

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All eyes were on Mesut Özil after Arsenal boss Unai Emery named the 30-year-old German playmaker in his starting XI against Burnley.

It was Özil’s first start for the Gunners since their 1-1 home draw with Wolves in early November an outing that saw him play 76 minutes. A combination of injury and tactical reasons meant he’d miss their following four Premier League matches.

Speculation is never far away with some feeling a breakdown in the relationship between Özil and Emery, this naturally led to discussions of him leaving the club, but that seems unfounded for now.

Özil’s return, with the captains armband, was always going to be an interesting affair. He’d subsequently play a pivotal role having a hand in two goals as Arsenal ran out 3-1 winners.

Emery indulging?

Ozil is not only Arsenal’s most high-profile player but arguably their most misunderstood. For all his brilliance in the ‘number 10’ role, and there are very few better, he needs a team built around him.

Emery, who is not afraid of making the big calls, knows a thing or two about creating a harmonious dressing room. By handing the captain’s armband to Ozil, ahead of their October win over Leicester City (and he’s worn it four times since), it’s both rewarding and challenging him. He’s the club’s best player, but let’s see if he can rise to the occasion as a leader.

However, for some, it might just be overkill. Lee Dixon, part of Arsenal’s legendary back-four, is one with such a view, though he recognises Emery’s man-management when it comes to Ozil which is a contrast with Jose Mourinho and Paul Pogba.

“Unai Emery has dealt with Mesut Ozil brilliantly,” he told BBC Radio 5 live. “If Jose Mourinho was looking on after his dealings with Paul Pogba, managers can take a leaf out of his book. He has been understated, not sensational. When Ozil is left out Emery said tactically he doesn’t fit in some games and he has also had injuries.

“Someone asked him if Ozil had a future at the club and he just turned it back to the reporter.

“To give him the armband today is a little too much candy. It’s almost going the other way, but otherwise he has dealt with the situation well.”

Ozil’s worth displayed

By creating a team around Ozil you’ll get the best of him and that was brilliantly evident in the Gunners’ opening goal. After exchanging a number of short passes the mercurial deep-lying forward spotted an onrushing Sead Kolasinac at the back post who teed up Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang.

It was another moment to celebrate Ozil’s vision and foresight. A pass that simply took six Burnley players out of the game. His biggest detractors would cite an unwillingness to do the dirty work but you would be just wasting him.

In control

Ozil’s position on the pitch means he’s not always going to be in possession but whenever the former German international is on the ball it’s fair to say he’s effective as well as being a reliable distributor.

Burnley saw that firsthand. Ozil, across 90 minutes, would touch the ball 61 times. He attempted 46 passes and would complete 43 of those giving him a passing accuracy of 93%.

My kingdom for a half-time lead!

Incredibly today was the first time Arsenal lead a Premier League game at halftime this season. In their previous 17 outings Emery’s men were either level (12 games) or trailing (five times).

Despite their inability to be in front the Gunners would mount spectacular second-half comebacks; turning it around 10 times to win and losing on three occasions.

But they would rather be in front after the opening 45 minutes. Aubameyang’s effort in the 14th minute ensured their duck was broken.

In spite of Burnley’s spiritedness Arsenal held on to remain unbeaten in any of the 58 times they’ve lead a Premier League match at the Emirates.

Auba retakes the lead

This season’s race for the Premier League golden boot is hotting up.

Aubameyang, who holds a strong interest in claiming the prize, went into today’s game having registered 10 goals across 17 league outings though had failed to strike in his last three appearances. During that period the Gabonian marksman saw current holder Mohamed Salah bag four goals for Liverpool to take his tally to 11 goals.

Doubts were starting to creep, but Aubameyang calmed things down, a goal in either half saw him level with Salah before surpassing him. Aubameyang, a former Bundesliga top scorer, knows what it takes as well as going toe to toe with a worthy rival (see Robert Lewandowski).

The Good, the Barnes and the Ugly

Being that time of the year this game was going to have a pantomime villain. Donning the role was Burnley’s streetwise centre-forward Ashley Barnes whose personal duel with Arsenal centre-back Sokratis Papastathopoulos enthralled those watching.

Even on a yellow card – one of six Burnley players to be handed a warning – it never stopped him from putting himself about, though Barnes was treading a fine line, his perseverance however was rewarded as 27 minutes from time he halved the deficit to give The Clarets some hope of leaving with at least a point. But it wasn’t to be as substitute Alex Iwobi re-established their two-goal lead in stoppage time.

The post Too much “candy”? What we learned as captain Ozil finally helps Arsenal banish unwanted record v Burnley appeared first on Squawka News.



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