Nacho Monreal supports Mesut Ozil amid bust-up claim

Arsenal defender Nacho Monreal has stressed that there has not been any rift between Mesut Ozil and manager Unai Emery as claimed by the British media.

Ozil was not part of the matchday squad during a recent league game against West Ham United and thereafter, there were suggestions of a training ground bust-up between him and Emery.

However, the manager publicly confirmed that a heavy cold was the reason behind the German's absence and Monreal has now clarified on the same saying:

"Recently, it is always bad things. Like last time, he was sick and that's why he didn't play. People started to invent that he had a problem with the manager. It wasn't like that. He got a cold, he was sick, that's it. That's why he didn't play."

Ozil had made an average start to the campaign after struggling to make an impact against Manchester City and Chelsea but he showed glimpses of his old self during the 3-2 triumph over Cardiff City last weekend.

The midfielder did not provide an assist during the Cardiff game but he was influential in the lead-up to the second and third goals for the Gunners as they registered back-to-back victories in the top-flight.