The Spaniard has claimed that substituting his star playmaker off after just 45 minutes was a strategic move
Arsenal boss Unai Emery has defended his decision to replace Mesut Ozil with Alex Iwobi at half-time during the Gunners' 1-1 draw at Brighton, insisting it was a 'tactical' choice.
The north London side went 1-0 up after a fine finish from Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang but conceded before half-time as the Seagulls broke from defending a corner, with a Stephan Lichtsteiner mistake aiding their cause.
Ozil, who has often been dropped entirely for away games, was hooked at the break and the Gunners produced a tepid second-half display as they were unable to force a winner.