Arsenal’s Mesut Ozil spared humiliation of being benched against Liverpool… because he was ill
German playmaker almost followed in the footsteps of dropped Gunners star Alexis Sanchez but was absent anyway
MESUT OZIL was spared the embarrassment of being benched against Liverpool - because he was ill.
Arsene Wenger dropped Alexis Sanchez for the clash following his ill discipline after a training ground bust-up.
Ozil, 28, has dipped dramatically in form of late.
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And Wenger planned on sitting him next to stroppy Sanchez for Saturday's 3-1 defeat at Anfield.
The German was sent home from training last Wednesday by a club doctor after showing signs of flu.
Both Sanchez, also 28, and Ozil are yet to agree new Arsenal deals, with the pair out of contract in 2018.
There are fears they could ditch the Gunners, with a number of clubs keeping tabs on their situations.
Wenger, 67, came under fire for his decision to axe Sanchez.
SunSport columnist Alan Shearer admitted: "I cannot for the life of me understand what Arsene Wenger was doing at Liverpool on Saturday.
"It is one of your biggest games of the season and you leave your best player on the bench.
"If the Arsenal manager was trying to prove some sort of point to Alexis Sanchez it backfired badly."
Sanchez is now certain to leave the club at the end of the season, with Paris Saint-Germain most likely to sign him.
The Chilean faced the wrath of Arsenal fans after being caught smirking after his side fell behind to Liverpool.
Ozil (9) and Sanchez (20) have scored 29 goals in all competitions between them this season for the Gunners.