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Arsenal boss Unai Emery explains Mesut Ozil return for Liverpool clash


Mesut Ozil was named in Emery’s starting XI (Picture: Getty Images)

Unai Emery recalled Mesut Ozil to the starting line-up for Arsenal’s trip to Liverpool for Wednesday night’s Carabao Cup clash.

Ozil has been out in the cold this season, with the German World Cup winner making just two starts in 2019/20 prior to the meeting at Anfield.

Emery, though, is hoping he can make an impact as the Gunners look to book their spot in the quarter-finals.

Emery recalled Ozil (Picture; AMA/Getty Images)

‘We’re expecting the side to play a good match and there will be competition for sure. We’ve won it twice so everyone is playing because they want to win.

‘He [Ozil] can helps us and tonight is a good opportunity with him. He knows his team-mates and he knows how we play.

‘He’s playing in his best position and we want him to use his qualities in this shape. Physically I feel he can be good and perhaps he can play the full 90 minutes.’

Former Arsenal ace Alan Smith, meanwhile, called for a line to be drawn in the sand after the Granit Xhaka incident but insists the Swiss should apologise.

Xhaka – who responded angrily to Arsenal fans booing him in a 2-2 draw at Crystal Palace – wasn’t named among Emery’s squad for the trip to Anfield, with Hector Bellerin captaining the side in the team leader’s absence.

Many have questioned whether the midfielder can be reintegrated to the side after his actions, but Smith hopes everyone can forgive and forget.

Xhaka has come under fire (Picture: Getty)

‘He’s clearly sticking by his guns and doesn’t feel he’s done too much wrong,’ Smith said. ‘It would be in his best interests to apologise, for his sake and the club’s and supporters.

‘I don’t think the fans should have given him the welcoming committee they did as he walked off but it’s done now and a line needs to be drawn, and the best way for that to happen is probably for him to say I’m sorry I did what I did, let’s go forward as one. If he doesn’t apologise, it all rumbles on.’

On the choice to captain Bellerin, Emery added: ‘It’s my decision who is the captain and tonight I made the decision to give it to Hector Bellerin.’

MORE: Alan Smith slams Unai Emery as he finally starts Mesut Ozil for Arsenal against Liverpool





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