Rory Smith: Wenger may now have a blueprint for success
That is the opinion of New York Times journalist Rory Smith.
Ozil missed the 0-0 draw at Stamford Bridge against Chelsea due to a minor knee injury.
Alexis Sanchez started the game on the bench, coming on as a second-half substitute for Alexandre Lacazette.
Smith reckons Gunners midfielder Granit Xhaka especially enjoyed not having Ozil in the side.
BBC
Arsenal news: Players enjoyed not having Alexis Sanchez and Mesut Ozil against Chelsea, says Smith
It seemed as if Xhaka enjoyed the fact that there wasn’t Ozil making whatever runs or movements that Ozil makes
Rory Smith on Arsenal
“It looked to me a little bit like some of the players maybe enjoyed not having Mesut Ozil or Alexis Sanchez in the team,” he said on BBC Radio 5 Live.
“Not because they don’t like them, or they’re bad people, or they don’t share the same interests.
“But because I think they feel, in different ways with both of them, under pressure when they’re in the team.
“I think Alexis Sanchez is not always helpful in terms of chastising his team-mates.
BBC
Arsenal news: Mesut Ozil was injured and Alexis Sanchez started on the bench against Chelsea
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“I think Ozil maybe, particularly with Xhaka, it seemed as if Xhaka enjoyed the fact that there wasn’t Ozil making whatever runs or movements that Ozil makes that doesn’t suit Xhaka.
“I think Xhaka was really good yesterday and he seemed to thrive from the fact that neither Sanchez or Ozil were there.”
Arsenal are back in action against Doncaster in the Carabao Cup tomorrow (7.45pm).
Ozil will miss the game as he is yet to recover from his injury but Sanchez could be given more game-time to work up his fitness.
