Arsenal manager, Unai Emery, dropped Mesut Ozil from his starting XI against Bournemouth, after being disappointed by his contribution in last month’s draw against Crystal Palace.
Ozil has started 10 Premier League fixtures this season, but was named on the bench in Sunday’s victory over the Cherries.
Emery used all three substitutions at Dean Court, but left the 30-year-old on the bench.
After the match, the Spaniard played down Ozil’s absence, saying: “Every player is important. We thought about how we can be better in the match today, with a very demanding match physically with their intensity against us and we came to that decision.”
But, according to the Daily Mirror, Emery made his decision after being left disappointed by Ozil’s contribution in the 2-2 draw at Selhurst Park last month.
It is claimed Ozil now faces the prospect of spending more time on the bench under Emery, a manager who demands a high work-rate of every one of his players.