Arsenal news: Paul Pogba and Jose Mourinho claim made about Mesut Ozil and Unai Emery

ARSENAL star Mesut Ozil’s relationship with Unai Emery is the less fiery equivalent of the one Jose Mourinho had with Paul Pogba at Manchester United.

That’s the verdict of Owen Hargreaves – who insists the pair “don’t fit” but that Emery still needs Ozil in certain matches.

The German play-maker enjoyed almost untouchable status under Arsene Wenger but is no longer a guaranteed starter and was left out of the match-day squad entirely for a recent Carabao Cup loss to rivals Tottenham with Emery declaring the decision as being tactically motivated.

But the 30-year-old – Arsenal’s highest-paid player after signing a new long-term deal back in January – produced a reminder of his quality when wearing the captain’s armband in a victory over Burnley last week.

The World Cup-winner pulled off a sublime through ball to Sead Kolasinac, splitting six defenders for the full-back to find Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang to score.

Emery hailed Ozil’s “big response” but the attacking midfielder’s long-term future at the Emirates remains uncertain due to concerns over the clash of his languid playing style versus the demands of his manager.

And Ozil was withdrawn at half-time as Arsenal drew at Brighton in mid-week, again declaring that he thought the team would be better served tactically with Alex Iwobi in the final third.

Hargreaves thinks the mismatch is a less volatile version of the relationship between Pogba and Mourinho, who was recently sacked for failing to get the best out of the France midfielder among poor results and other reasons.

The pair frequently locked horns at United with frequent public comments as they sniped at one another.

Pogba has since scored twice and contributed two assists in as many games under new boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer at Old Trafford – but Hargreaves believes Emery cannot sell Ozil yet because he still needs him to apply his deadly final passes against weaker opposition.

“It’s a quieter version of Pogba and Mourinho, they obviously don’t fit,” Hargreaves told Premier League Productions.

“If you talk about intensity, that’s the biggest difference between Arsenal this season and last season. 

“Ozil doesn’t do that [pressing], he’s never done it in his whole life. 

“He’s not going to press, but when they’re dominating teams and they want a player to play that killer pass, he’s the man. 

“We’ve seen that in multiple games this season. Does he fit what he wants? No, but I think he needs him.”

Hargreaves also credited Emery for the improvement at Arsenal this season – although they have only won one of their last four across all competitions before a trip to Liverpool tomorrow (5.30pm).

“They’re ahead of schedule and credit Emery for making big calls, leaving Ramsey on the bench whether it’s contract or whatever,” he added.

“Ozil, he takes him off virtually every game, there’s no worries about personalities and I love that about him.

“Arsenal are going places and they’ll be in a very good position in six months under Emery.”

The Gunners face league leaders Liverpool tomorrow in their final game of the calendar year looking for a first win at Anfield since September 2012.Source:www.express.co.uk