The problem next season will be when [Emery] gets money, buys somebody for £60m and they play badly
Paul Merson
Merson thinks it was an easy decision to make as Ozil 'wasn't his player' - but that will all change when Emery spends big cash.
"I am a big Ozil fan. If he knew he was going to turn up on his game, he would play for anybody," Merson said on The Debate.
"He wasn't his player so it's a bit of statement. He can say this manager, 'he doesn't mess about, he's strong'.
"The problem will be next season when he probably gets money in the window and buys somebody for £60million and they start having a bad game.
Arsenal transfer news: Paul Merson believes Unai Emery will break the club transfer record (Image: Getty)
Arsenal transfer news: Unai Emery and Mesut Ozil have endured a fluctuating relationship (Image: Getty)
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"Does he keep on playing them or is he ruthless and say 'no, you're sitting out this game'?
"It's easy to do when it's not your player and you haven't bought them.
"When you buy someone for big money you are obliged to play them as you are under pressure."
While former Tottenham boss Tim Sherwood, appearing alongside Merson on the show, believes Arsenal should start copying his old club.
Arsenal transfer news: Unai Emery has gone some way to transforming Arsenal (Image: Getty)
"Arsenal need to go way [selling players for big money]," he said.
"We can't all be Man Citys, we can't all be Man United, can't all be Liverpool. You can't always just throw money at it, you have to find a different way.
"I think that is possibly the way Arsenal need to go to go forward."