Mesut Ozil’s angry rant after Arsenal’s defeat to Brighton was aimed at manager Freddie Ljungberg, not Alexandre Lacazette.
That’s the view of former Manchester United midfielder Owen Hargreaves, who believes the German was wrong to react in that manner.
The playmaker was seen gesticulating towards the bench as he made his way off the pitch after the 2-1 loss and is believed to have been shouting ‘Laca! Laca!’ while throwing his hands up in the air.
It’s therefore been assumed that Ozil’s anger was aimed towards Lacazette but Hargreaves believes the German was angry at Ljungberg after he substituted the striker in the 77th minute when Arsenal were searching for a goal.
‘You can’t play that way and be critical of the coaching staff,’ said Hargreaves.
‘If he plays with his heart on his sleeve you could accept it, obviously if Freddie say that he wouldn’t be happy.’
‘I don’t think it was aimed at Per, it was aimed at Freddie.’
Ozil has started both matches under interim boss Ljungber but he played from an unorthodox wing position against the Seagulls.
The German was frozen out under Unai Emery and Hargreaves believes he didn’t earn the right against Brighton to react in that manner after the match.
‘He didn’t do enough, Mesut Ozil,’ continued Hargreaves.
‘To have that reaction… I love Mesut Ozil more than anyone, but he didn’t do enough in the game to warrant that reaction.
‘I love him in a functioning team, he’s one of the best creators and best passers we’ve had in the Premier League. He is, he can do that.
‘As a football player he’s a beautiful player to watch but his intensity levels aren’t good enough at this level.
‘Too many managers have accommodated that and that’s why he struts around and plays that way.
‘But essentially if Freddie is going to say ‘I’m going to play you, Mesut, but I need you to lead’. He didn’t, definitely not.
‘If you’re a manager at some point there’s got to be consequences for the player. That’s unacceptable.’
