Ozil keeps silent on Emery exit and welcomes new interim coach Ljungberg

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Arsenal star Mesut Ozil has taken to social media to welcome new interim coach Freddie Ljungberg – but the playmaker stayed silent on the departure of sacked manager Unai Emery.

The pair endured a frosty relationship during Emery’s reign after Ozil was dropped from the first team, with the Spaniard preferring to select players who “deserved” to play.

Ozil, the club’s highest-paid player, was eventually welcomed back into the fold against Wolves earlier this month having not started a game since September.

The German was named on the bench for Emery’s final game in charge, the Europa League tie against Eintracht Frankfurt on Thursday, although he did make an appearance in the second half.

Just hours after the former PSG coach was axed as Arsenal coach on Friday, Ozil posted an image from the squad’s first training session under Ljungberg.

While there was little to speak of in terms of a caption from the 31-year-old other than his usual hashtags, the lack of a farewell message to Emery spoke volumes about the tension between the two.

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Several of his Arsenal team-mates had chosen to pay tribute to the 48-year-old after his 18-month reign came to an end.

Arsenal striker Alexandre Lacazette tweeted his gratitude to Emery on Twitter, admitting it’s “not easy” to see him leave the north London outfit.

“Not always easy when someone has to leave the club.. But I want to the thank the coach and the staff for everything and wish good luck for the future,” he tweeted.

On-loan midfielder Dani Ceballos also sent a message of support to Emery, while goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez, who was in goal for the defeat to Eintracht Frankfurt, said on Instagram “the players were to blame”.

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