Unai Emery refused to discuss Mesut Ozil’s latest Arsenal absence after the Gunners’ comeback win over Vitoria Guimaraes.
Record signing Nicolas Pepe stepped off the bench and struck two late free kicks to hand Arsenal a 3-2 win.
Again conspicuous by his absence was the club’s highest-paid player, with £350k-a-week Ozil not in the matchday squad once again.
The German playmaker has played for just 142 minutes so far this term, and hasn’t appeared since the win over Nottingham Forest in the Carabao Cup.
Arsenal were sub-par for much of the night at the Emirates, leading for chants in favour of Ozil from sections of the home crowd.
Asked about his absence post-game, Emery offered little in the way of reasoning for the latest omission.
"I think tonight is not the day to speak about that,” said the Spaniard. "I prefer to speak about the match and about the players that played.
"He was not in the squad, that is the decision. We will now work for Sunday."
Earlier in the evening, ex-Arsenal star Robin van Persie had questioned the Ozil situation.
Speaking on BT Sport, the Dutchman said: "It's a shame, he's one of their best players.
"He's really good but something is not quite right at the moment with him and the coach so hopefully that gets solved for Arsenal.”
Ex-Gunners defender Martin Keown however questioned the commitment of the 30 year-old.
"There is no doubt about his ability, it's the work ethic, it must be,” said Ozil. "Can he find a why to play him?
"I don't think he's as committed as I would like to see him, and I think there is evidence, there is hard evidence."
