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Arsenal handed major fitness boost ahead of Cardiff City trip

By on August 28, 2018

According to the Evening Standard, Mesut Ozil was due to return to training today and should be in contention for Arsenal’s trip to Cardiff City on Sunday afternoon.

Ozil missed Saturday’s 3-1 victory over West Ham at the Emirates Stadium after apparently catching a cold which forced him out of training during the latter stages of last week.

Some reports in the media suggested that Ozil had called-in sick after a row with Unai Emery on the training pitch on Thursday after being told he was going to be dropped for the West Ham game.

Emery has denied the 29-year-old refused to take his place on the bench at the weekend and says he was genuinely sick but understandably fans are skeptical given it’s the EIGHTH time Ozil has been ‘sick’ in the last three years.

The first team squad were given bank holiday Monday off to recover from the Hammers victory but the Evening Standard says Ozil was due to resume training with the rest of the boys at London Colney this morning.

The newspaper has no information on whether Ozil turned up or not, and if he was at London Colney whether he took part in training or indoor gym work, but they do say the club expected him back this morning and the German playmaker should be in contention to face Cardiff on Sunday afternoon.

It’s going to be interesting to see if Ozil is recalled against Neil Warnock’s side or left on the bench at the Cardiff City Stadium but it looks like Emery is ready to get tough with the attacker.

Ozil was played out on the wing against Manchester City and subbed early in the second half against Chelsea after putting in a disappointing display in the No.10 role, prompting Emery to demand more intensity from the playmaker.

If I was to guess, I reckon Emery voiced his concerns to Ozil in training, told him he was dropped against West Ham and the player called in sick the next day so I wouldn’t be surprised if Mesut’s on the bench on Sunday.

Either way, his return is a boost as he’s still one of our best players and we’re going to need to get him back on top form if we’re to push for a top four place this season.

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