Arsenal manager Unai Emery has insisted that 'every player is important' after leaving Mesut Ozil out of the squad for their north London derby defeat against Arsenal.
The German, who penned a new £350,000-a-week deal last season, has been absent from matchday squads through illness and back spasms already this season, but rarely on a purely tactical basis.
Ozil, 30, watched from the stands as goals from Heung-min Son and Dele Alli sent Arsenal out of the League Cup after his teammates wasted a number of first half chances.
Emery was quick to duck questions on whether or not selling Ozil in January was an option, but insisted the playmaker remained an important figure at Arsenal.
"Every player they are important," Emery said. "Only one I decided didn't play.
"It was a tactical decision, because I thought the players today they are with us, for us the best for this match."
Pressed on whether or not he would be open to Ozil leaving in January, Emery said: "My focus now is to analyse this match and also Saturday against Burnley is very important."
