Get all your news in one place.
100's of premium titles.
One app.
Start reading
Daily Mirror
Daily Mirror
Sport
Mark Jones

Arsenal star 'looks like a ghost' as Unai Emery is urged to sell

Arsenal great Emmanuel Petit has urged the club to sell Mesut Ozil in the summer, and says that the German is a "dead player" who "looks like a ghost on the pitch" when he's in Gunners colours.

Ozil played as Arsenal battled their way past Valencia 4-2 in the Europa League semi-final at the Mestalla on Thursday, securing a 7-3 aggregate success to set up an all-London final against Chelsea in Baku later this month.

But Ozil's displays continue to be criticised by supporters, and he's frequently criticised for his lack of impact on matches.

"There are so many players at Arsenal who need to leave the club this summer," Petit told Paddy Power.

"It's been too long since we've seen them compete for the title, and the only way they'll do it is with an improved squad.

Ozil played as the Gunners made it through against Valencia (Getty Images)

Alexandre Lacazette reveals part Liverpool played in Europa League success

"But, they must continue with Emery, he is not the issue. The fact he reached a European final is big, as is the fact he's done it with most of the players who are leftovers from the management of Arsene Wenger. The board just need to give him the power; he can't continue next season with the same group of players.

"For example, what is going on with Mesut Ozil? He looks like a dead player on the pitch, a ghost. He's lost in translation. It's time now for Emery to turn the page."

Petit added that the Gunners' season will come down to the final against their London rivals.

Petit says the German is "like a ghost" (Philip Coburn)

5 things we noticed from Arsenal's dressing room celebrations after Valencia win

"For me the pressure is on Arsenal to earn a Champions League place for next season," he said.

"If they don't beat Chelsea in Baku, this year will have been a failure.

"It's fine to have an occasional bad season and end up in the Europa League, but Arsenal have been struggling to fight for the Champions League places for a while - they need to return to the level they were at before."

For more from Paddy Power’s columnists, visit: news.paddypower.com

Sign up to read this article
Read news from 100's of titles, curated specifically for you.
Already a member? Sign in here
Related Stories
Top stories on inkl right now
One subscription that gives you access to news from hundreds of sites
Already a member? Sign in here
Our Picks
Fourteen days free
Download the app
One app. One membership.
100+ trusted global sources.