MX23RW : Friday, November 15 19:12:54| >> :60:3388:3388:

Unai Emery insistent Mesut Ozil will stay at Arsenal

Unai Emery insistent Mesut Ozil will stay at Arsenal
© Reuters
Ozil has yet to play for Arsenal this season, sparking rumours about his future at the club.

Arsenal manager Unai Emery insists Mesut Ozil will still be at the club after the European transfer window shuts.

Ozil has yet to feature for the Gunners this season due to safety concerns and then an illness, which kept him out of last week's defeat at Liverpool, and there has been speculation over his future.

But Emery insists the German, who has been declared available for Sunday's north London derby, will still be an Arsenal player after Monday night's continental deadline.

Mesut Ozil, right, has yet to play for Arsenal this season
Mesut Ozil, right, has yet to play for Arsenal this season (Yui Mok/PA)

"We are not speaking about the possibility for Mesut to leave," he said.

"We finished here our transfer window and in Europe it is going to finish on Monday.

"We cannot sign another player but we have some players who have a possibility to leave in the four days before the transfer window closes.

"The club is working, some players know the situation and my focus and the team's focus is to prepare for the match on Sunday and exclusively on Sunday."

Not only will Ozil still be at the Emirates next week, he could also be involved against Tottenham on Sunday afternoon.

"This week he is training well, he is progressing physically and he is training and doing normal work with us.

"He is going to be closer to us and he will be available on Sunday. It is good news."

One of those players who could leave is Nacho Monreal, who is reportedly set to join Real Sociedad, and Emery hinted it could happen.

He curtly said: "Yes, there is a possibility."

Arsenal take on Spurs at the Emirates looking for a repeat of a 4-2 Premier League win last December and will be hoping to capitalise against a team who have not started the season particularly well.

It is a blockbusting early-season game and one that Emery says the whole world will be watching.

Arsenal won 4-2 in the corresponding fixture last season
Arsenal won 4-2 in the corresponding fixture last season (Nick Potts/PA)

"For us to play matches like last week against Liverpool, this week against Tottenham, the two Champions League finalists is amazing, and it is the best test," he said.

"Every time is a good moment to play against them and on Sunday with our supporters, it is the best moment to play and enjoy with our supporters.

"On Sunday, that match is the best football match in the world for all football supporters."

There was some positive injury news as Rob Holding, Hector Bellerin and new signing Kieran Tierney should all be available after the international break.

On Holding, Emery said: "He is training with us, he played with the Under-23s but he is not 100 per cent to play with us on Sunday.

"We are playing him with the Under-23s and training with us and each day we are testing his performances.

"Each day he is getting better, he can play but not with the intensity we need for Sunday."

Rob Holding looks set to return to the first team fold after the international break
Rob Holding looks set to return to the first-team fold after the international break (Nick Potts/PA)

And the Spaniard says Bellerin and Holding will get closer attention during the forthcoming international break.

"We have to be calm but also we have to be demanding with their recovery, because we need them," Emery said.

"That international break is going to give us two weeks to test them better than before, because now my focus with the team is the players that will be available on Sunday and to prepare with them.

"After that match, we will test different players and how they can be closer to us, to the team, to start playing with us."

ID:369667: cacheID:369667:1false2false3false:QQ:: from db desktop :LenBod:restore:17669:
Restore Data
Share this article now:
Tanguy Ndombele equalises during the Premier League game between Tottenham Hotspur and Aston Villa on August 10, 2019
Read Next:
Spurs injury, suspension list vs. Arsenal
>
rhs 2.0
Today's games header
Tables header RHS
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Liverpool119112161528
2Manchester CityMan City117222213923
3Chelsea115422113819
4Arsenal115421812619
5Nottingham ForestNott'm Forest115421510519
6Brighton & Hove AlbionBrighton115421915419
7Fulham115331613318
8Newcastle UnitedNewcastle115331311218
9Aston Villa115331717018
10Tottenham HotspurSpurs1151523131016
11Brentford115152222016
12Bournemouth114341515015
13Manchester UnitedMan Utd114341212015
14West Ham UnitedWest Ham113351319-612
15Leicester CityLeicester112451421-710
16Everton112451017-710
17Ipswich TownIpswich111551222-108
18Crystal Palace11146815-77
19Wolverhampton WanderersWolves111371627-116
20Southampton11119721-144


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
Argentina's Lionel Messi kisses the World Cup trophy after collecting the Golden Ball award on December 18, 2022Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!