Unai Emery claims Arsenal bosses gave him permission to wield the axe on Mesut Ozil.
Arsenal's highest-paid player has only started two games this season and not featured in the squad at all since the middle of September.
Fans have been defiantly chanting Ozil's name amid two poor performances this week.
Ozil was left out of the squad for both the defeat to Sheffield United on Monday and the Europa League slog with Vitoria on Thursday.
Emery appears unprepared to budge on his stance on Ozil.
And the under-fire Spaniard claims that the hierarchy at the Emirates are backing his decision to send the German into the wilderness.
Emery said: “Previously, we were all speaking between us to take that decision.
“Here, we have one agreed strategy - as a club and as a team - because the most important thing is the club, the team, and then finding a performance.”
Whether that appeases the increasingly restless Emirates faithful is doubtful. During the game with Vitoria, some fans were chanting Ozil’s name.
Emery appreciates their frustration but added: “I know all the supporters want to know something more but now is not the moment. We’ll decide when to say more.”
