Arsenal picked up yet another win in the Premier League this time beating AFC Bournemouth 2-1 away from home.
The Gunners took the lead through a Jefferson Lerma own goal right at the half-hour mark but Eddie Howe’s team managed to get into half-time with the scoreline at 1-1(thanks to a goal from Joshua King).
In the second half though, the London outfit shifted gears as Unai Emery chose to make a couple of technical tweaks resulting in a winning goal from Pierre Emerick Aubameyang.
But one of the most controversial moves from the Arsenal manager that has caught everyone’s attention in the snub of Mesut Ozil.
Ozil started the game on the bench as he remained an unused sub during the game and Unai Emery had no intentions of bringing him on since the German did not even get out to warm up.
The Gunners boss later revealed that he did not use Mesut Ozil during the game since he thought the playmaker would not be able to cope up the physicality that Bournemouth posses.
And now in a bit to back Unai Emery, former Gunner Kevin Campbell feels that the mind games from the manager are only going to help Mesut Ozil in the long run.
“I think it’s smart management [to drop Ozil],” he told Love Sport Radio.
“We know that sometimes when it gets really physical, people accuse Mesut Ozil of not even turning up for the game.
“It’s away, it was going to be tough so he’s used his squad the best he can, he changed the system and Mesut Ozil is there on the bench if he needs him. This manager isn’t afraid to make tough decisions.
“The challenge is down right there for Mesut Ozil. I think he’ll definitely play [in the north London derby]. He’s a big-game player,
“Sometimes the mindset is more difficult against the smaller teams because playing against the big teams, that’s the one you’re motivated for.
“I think there’s a bit of mind games going on with the manager and I think he’s challenged Mesut Ozil, and I think Ozil will show up.”
This was the first time that Mesut Ozil has received such a snub from his new manager and many feared that there might be a potential crack in the pair’s relationship.
But Unai Emery has been quick to come out and make things clear that benching Mesut Ozil was only a tactical decision.
Read: Arsenal are soon to be hit by the curse of playing in the Europa League.
Read: Arsenal’s summer signing lines out the team’s ambition during the 2018-19 season.
Read: Here’s why Unai Emery chose to take off Lucas Torreira against Bournemouth in the Premier League.
