Arsenal explain Mesut Ozil absence for Stoke City clash
Mesut Ozil and Alexis Sanchez both missed out as Arsenal took on Stoke City in the Premier League on Sunday
Mesut Ozil is set to sit out Arsenal’s Premier League clash with Stoke City due to a minor foot injury, the north London club confirmed on Twitter on Sunday afternoon ahead of the game.
The Germany playmaker was widely expected to start the game as the Gunners look to return to winning ways following their 3-3 draw at Liverpool in midweek.
.@MesutOzil1088 misses #SCFCvAFC with a slight foot injury. pic.twitter.com/WW73x0hO6o
— Arsenal FC (@Arsenal) January 17, 2016
New signing Mohamed Elneny was named on the bench for the game against the Potters at the Britannia Stadium, with Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain drafted into the starting line-up in Ozil’s absence.
How Arsenal lined up against Stoke
Petr Cech, Hector Bellerin, Per Mertesacker, Laurent Koscielny, Nacho Monreal, Aaron Ramsey, Mathieu Flamini, Joel Campbell, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, Theo Walcott, Olivier Giroud.
Substitutes: Kieran Gibbs, Gabriel, Mikel Arteta, David Ospina, Mohamed Elneny, Alex Iwobi, Calum Chambers.
Alexis Sanchez, who is closing in on a return from a hamstring injury, was also not named in the matchday squad for the game.
Ozil has been a central figure in Arsenal’s title challenge this season, notching up 16 assists and scoring three goals for the Gunners in the Premier League.
Arsenal headed into the game needing at least a point to reclaim their place at the top of the Premier League table after they dropped down to third following Saturday’s fixtures.
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The Gunners are looking to win their first Premier League title since their famous unbeaten triumph in the 2003-04 campaign.
