Vinnie Jones isn’t one for sympathy.
Jones is not a fan of the frequency with which Mesut Ozil has been using illness as an excuse for missing out on Arsenal matches.
Ozil declared himself unavailable for the Gunners’ 3-1 victory over West Ham on Saturday afternoon, citing illness as the reason.
It was the seventh time this year that Ozil missed a game due to being unwell and supporters are understandably growing tired of the trend.
Jones, one of football’s most infamous hard men, has no time for malingerers and offered some advice to Ozil while speaking on talkSPORT this week.
“Go and build motorways or go into a hospital and cook dinners for people,” said Jones.
“Do something that you can be proud of if you’re not happy having the most fantastic job in the world.”
New Arsenal manager Unai Emery played down rumours of a rift with the German playmaker although he did admit that Ozil declared himself unfit after a conversation prior to the West Ham game during which a potential positional change was suggested.
“Two days ago I spoke with him about things tactically for this match and the last match,” Emery said.
“And he said to me he was sick two days ago. On Friday, after my conversation on Thursday, he continued to stay off sick. We spoke with the doctor and decided it was better for him to stay at home.”
