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Team news update: Arsenal star a doubt to face Man Utd, key man definitely ruled out

By on December 3, 2018

mesut ozil arsenal 2018

Arsenal boss Unai Emery has confirmed Mesut Ozil remains a doubt for our trip to Old Trafford to take on Manchester United on Wednesday night.

Ozil was axed from the starting eleven for last weekend’s 2-1 win at Bournemouth with Emery suggesting after the game that he didn’t feel the playmaker was suited to playing in high intensity away matches.

The German attacker failed to make the trip to the Ukraine last Thursday as we sealed qualification to the knockout stages of the Europa League as group winners with a comfortable win over FC Vorskla.

Ozil was then left out of the entire squad for Sunday’s thrilling North London Derby win over Tottenham with the club citing ‘back spasms’ as being the issue – although many fans quite rightly question this as Ozil has a history of pulling out of games with minor injuries and he’s clearly had a run-in with Emery after being axed last weekend.

The boss has now provided an update at his pre-match press conference this afternoon and he’s confirmed that Ozil remains a doubt to face United on Wednesday night as he’s only been able to train alone at London Colney today.

Emery told Arsenal.com:

“I said on Sunday that he’s had backache since last Tuesday. He couldn’t play in Kiev or on Sunday.

“At the moment, I don’t know if he can play in Manchester. Today he was working alone, I don’t know if he’s OK for Wednesday.”

I don’t think we’ll see Ozil at Old Trafford on Wednesday and even if he does make the trip I think he’ll be on the bench as there’s no way he’ll be recalled to the starting eleven following our performance against Spurs.

However, one player who is certain to miss out against United is Granit Xhaka as he’s facing a one-match suspension after picking up his fifth booking of the season yesterday. Xhaka’s absence will be a blow as he’s been a key part of Emery’s side this season.

Nacho Monreal is also still on the sidelines with a hamstring injury while Danny Welbeck is obviously out for the foreseeable future with a broken ankle. Laurent Koscielny made his playing comeback with a run out for the U23’s last week but I don’t think he’ll be in contention for the first team just yet.