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Unai Emery 'trying to avoid Neymar-esque power struggle with Mesut Ozil'

By Barney Corkhill, Editor | 17 February 2019

Emery 'trying to avoid Neymar situation with Ozil'

Arsenal manager Unai Emery's treatment of Mesut Ozil is reportedly fuelled by his desire to avoid the sort of power struggle he had with Neymar at Paris Saint-Germain.

Arsenal manager Unai Emery's treatment of Mesut Ozil is reportedly down to him being wary of becoming embroiled in another power struggle with one of his players.

Emery's final season in charge of Paris Saint-Germain saw numerous questions raised regarding his authority over star man and world-record signing Neymar.

The Spaniard was eventually forced out at the Parc des Princes despite leading PSG to a domestic treble, and the Daily Mail reports that he is now keen to avoid a similar scenario with Ozil.

Ozil is Arsenal's highest-paid player, but he has fallen down the pecking order under Emery this season and was not included in the squad to face BATE Borisov in the Europa League on Thursday night.

Emery is reportedly refusing to give the former Germany international any preferential treatment in a bid to stamp his authority on the dressing room.

The Gunners boss is understood to be open to the idea of selling Ozil in the summer, but the playmaker's £350,000-a-week wages are proving to be a major stumbling block for any interested parties.

Ozil is also refusing to leave the club on loan as he is happy at the Emirates Stadium, despite making just 13 Premier League starts this season.