Freddie Ljungberg has taken a parting shot at Mesut Ozil in the aftermath of his final game as caretaker boss as Arsenal secured a point away at Everton on Saturday lunchtime.
Ozil was left out of the matchday 18 and replaced by Emile Smith-Rowe in the starting eleven as Ljungberg ended his temporary stint in charge with a 0-0 draw at Goodison Park in a pretty turgid affair.
The German midfielder was substituted off last weekend during the defeat to Manchester City in the 59th minute, taking his gloves off and booting them away in a sign of frustration.
Ljungberg, who will be replaced by new permanent head coach Mikel Arteta as of Sunday, explained pre-match that Ozil was suffering from a foot issue but expanded further as the German was left out of another away game, something that happened regularly under former manager Unai Emery.
The Swede said: "For me, I got asked after the game about Mesut. He walked off, took his things (gloves) and kicked them and the fans were not happy and I was asked about it.
"I said 'For me, at Arsenal, that's not how we behave, that’s not what we do' and I stand by that.
"Mesut was injured but I would not have picked him for the squad because I want to make a stance that, that's not what I accept from an Arsenal football player.
"That's my decision and that’s what I think."
Ozil's place in the Arsenal squad and standing among some supporters will be a huge issue for new head coach Arteta to solve when he gets down to business on Monday at London Colney for his first training session with his new charges.
The Spaniard was announced as the Gunners head coach on Friday as the club finally made a decision on a replacement for Emery, who was sacked in November.
