Freddie Ljungberg Lifts Lid On How Mesut Ozil Is As A Player

Freddie Ljungberg really let his thoughts out on Mesut Ozil and the kind of player that he is.

The German was nowhere to be seen during Saturday’s 0-0 draw against Everton. It was reported that he was missing due to a right foot injury but Ljungberg stated one more reason behind the 31-year-old’s absence.

“For me, I got asked after the game about Mesut,” Ljungberg said. “He walked off the pitch [in the Man City game] and then kicked his gloves. The fans were not happy. I got asked about it and said, ‘At Arsenal, that’s not how we behave and not what we do’. I stand by that.

“Mesut was injured, but I would not have picked him for the squad because I want to make a stance that it’s not what I accept from an Arsenal football player. That’s my decision. I won’t make the decisions again, but that’s what I think.”

Ljungberg becomes the first Arsenal head coach to put the German on full blast for his antics after Arsene Wenger and Unai Emery. Ozil has been criminally poor for the Gunners ever since he earned his place back in the starting XI, making only 2 assists so far this season.

Ljungberg himself is tipped to head out of the club after Mikel Arteta’s appointment. The Swede believes he is ready to be a head coach and look for the same position elsewhere. However, he did reveal talks with Arteta are pending.

“The club has told me they want me to stay so I will sit down with Mikel on Monday and talk to him,” he said.