Mesut Ozil was left out of Arsenal’s squad to face Fulham at Craven Cottage on Sunday with a back problem.

The German, who came on as a second-half sub against Qarabag in Azerbaijan on Thursday, was a surprise omission when Arsenal announced Unai Emery’s peculiar team selection for the game against Fulham:

https://twitter.com/Arsenal/status/1048876237345771520?s=19

They then clarified that the problem was a back spasm:

https://twitter.com/Arsenal/status/1048878042880331776?s=19

This is the third back problem Ozil has had in his career, the first coming when he was with Werder Bremen in 2010. That one only kept him out for seven days, although he missed three matches.

The last back problem caused him to miss 28 days in May this year, missing four matches in total.

With the international break now upon us and Ozil retired from playing for Germany, he will hopefully be fully recovered when football returns.

Speaking after the emphatic 5-1 win against Fulham, Emery said of Ozil’s problem, “Yesterday [Saturday] he came in with pain and he cannot train yesterday or play today.”

We all know Mesut Ozil is something special, well, those of us paying attention at least.

In training ahead of Arsenal’s Europa League game against Qarabag in Azerbaijan, the German was filmed taking a penalty and he brought out his trademark trickshot, something he seemed to enjoy immensely as the ball hit the back of the net and he ran away giggling to himself.

The keeper’s face on the floor just adds to the humour value of the whole thing.

 

View this post on Instagram

 

HOW DOES HE DO THAT?! 😱 . @m10_official brings out his trademark trick shot in training 🔥 #Ozil #Arsenal #UEL

A post shared by Arsenal Official (@arsenal) on