Football

Alexandre Lacazette insists Mesut Ozil is a ‘leader’ despite coat-throwing incident


Alexandre Lacazette says Mesut Ozil is a leader despite the coat-throwing incident (Picture: Sky Sports)

Alexandre Lacazette has defended Mesut Ozil after the midfielder lost his temper and launched his jacket in the direction of Marco Silva and Everton’s coaching staff at Goodison Park.

Unai Emery gave Ozil the captain’s armband on Sunday afternoon and the German playmaker was largely anonymous before being substituted in the 74th minute of Arsenal’s 1-0 defeat.

Clearly frustrated with his own performance, Ozil threw a tantrum in the dugout and hurled his coat towards Everton manager Silva as he rowed with Emery on the touchline.

Emery played down the incident after the final whistle and, speaking ahead of Thursday’s clash with Napoli, Lacazette insisted ‘everything is fine’ with his Arsenal team-mate.

However, the French striker believes Ozil may regret his questionable behaviour during the defeat to Everton.

Asked if Ozil still ‘inspires’ him as a leader after the incident, Lacazette replied: ‘Yeah, he’s still a leader even if he knows he doesn’t have to do this.

‘But when you are upset because… for some reasons… sometimes you do something which you don’t have to do.

‘But after it’s something for him and today everything is fine.’

Emery believes Arsenal have a ’50-50′ chance of beating Napoli and progressing through to the Europa League semi-finals.

‘I think it’s 50-50. Napoli have a big history like us, they’re second in the table,’ the Spaniard said ahead of the first leg at the Emirates.

‘They’re playing very well, they came from a strong group in the Champions League. They were very competitive.

‘It’s going to be difficult for us but we have confidence. We need to be very consistent in two matches.’

On sharing the touchline with Carlo Ancelotti, Emery said: ‘I have a great respect for every coach. Ancelotti is top. His career is amazing.

‘For me my challenge is every day and every year. All I did in my past is only for taking experience. I need to make a new future.

‘This match is a big match at the level we want to play. It’s a big test for us. We want to play against the best teams, Napoli are one of them.’

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