Mesut Ozil ‘pulled a sickie’ after Unai Emery revealed he would be playing a new position

Mesut Ozil fell ill shortly after having a tactical chat with manager Unai Emery in which the Arsenal manager reportedly told the German he would be playing a new role against West Ham.

The German, who has endured a tumultuous few months, was missing from the Gunners’ matchday squad for Saturday’s 3-1 win over West Ham – the first victory of Emery’s reign at the club.

Illness was cited as the reason for Ozil’s absence, and Emery was adamant that was the case after the match despite reports of a bust-up during training.

‘I spoke with him about things tactically for this match and the last match. And he said he was sick,’ the Spaniard explained.

‘On Friday, after my conversation on Thursday, he continued to stay off sick.

We spoke with the doctor and decided it was better for him to stay at home. If he felt better on Saturday, he should come.’

And The Sun report that Emery specifically told Ozil he would be playing a different position against West Ham, with the German ‘pulling a sickie’ shortly after the chat.

Despite feeling ill, he was well enough to report to the Emirates on Saturday and spent time with the players in the changing room.

When asked if he had intended to play Ozil in a new position, Emery smiled and simply said ‘maybe’, with some suggestions that Ozil reacted badly to being told he would not be lining up in the No.10 role.

It is the seventh occasion in just the last two seasons that Ozil has missed a match through illness.

Reports over the weekend, however, suggested that Ozil’s future at the club is in doubt after ‘screaming’ at Emery during training and rowing over Arsenal’s approach and tactics.