Arsenal legend Alan Smith explains why Mesut Ozil has been benched at Bournemouth. Unai Emery shocked Arsenal fans with his decision to drop Mesut Ozil to the bench for the side’s clash with Bournemouth – but Alan Smith was not surprised by the Spaniard’s decision. Having retired from international duty with Germany earlier this year, Ozil had been well rested ahead of Sunday’s trip to Dean Court but had to settle for a place among the substitutes. While Ozil has started ten