Arsenal manager Unai Emery has revealed that Mesut Ozil's absence from the matchday squad for the West Ham United game was due to illness.
A number of reports on Saturday morning suggested that the German midfielder would not play a part in the match, and they were confirmed at 2pm when the team lineups were published.
Aaron Ramsey returned to the starting lineup in Ozil's place, and the Gunners went on to record a 3-1 win over the Hammers, after which Emery elaborated on the 29-year-old's absence.
"Yeah, he was ill and yesterday we decided with the doctor and with him that he would not play," Emery told BBC Sport at full time.
"Today he is here and with the team also because he feels better today but he is not here now because he was sick yesterday."
Ozil has made 198 appearances for Arsenal since his 2013 move from Real Madrid, scoring 37 goals and registering 71 assists.
Written by
Giuseppe Labellarte
Giuseppe Labellarte
