Sport
Mesut Ozil – I just don’t think you understand
Mesut Ozil is a top class player
This isn’t up for debate. But, lets not get carried away though and start comparing Ozil to Dennis Bergkamp when it comes to talent.
Their preferred positions are however comparable and they definitely fall into that ‘luxury player’ category – which begs the question, why do people expect Ozil to track back, to break up play, close down and put in tackles?
None of the above were asked of the Dutch number 10 during his time with Arsenal. Why? Because he had warriors around him and they had a team that could afford a luxury player.
How things have changed
You have to feel for Ozil. In a side with no leaders, no direction, no water carriers. He’s being run into the ground at Arsenal and the blame must fall with his manager.
I hate the constant noise of ‘Wenger could and should have added ‘Kante’. I bet nobody hates it more than Ozil. When he looks behind him on the pitch, he instead sees Coquelin.
Let’s not go off piste here too much, but you have to admit, this persistence in playing the former Charlton loanee is rather odd. Following a frankly un-memorable spell at The Valley, he was drafted back into the Arsenal fold and did okay. OK! Being the perfect way to describe this player.
- No caps for France.
- No goals for Arsenal.
- 1 assist.
- Plenty of cards.
Considering so much of Wenger’s selection policy is supposedly based on stats and this high tech computer analysis, you really do have to wonder if the machine needs a hard reboot. (Separate blog on Aaron Ramsey and a similar issue may indeed follow).
Doing the dirty work – not Ozil’s job
So often I’ve seen Ozil traipsing around the pitch after the demands of doing the dirty work for Arsenal and by the time he does get the ball sometimes he looks physically shot to pieces.
I think it has now got to the point where he is pretty fed up as soon as he steps out on the pitch. Has he been given all the team instructions of his worst nightmares? His body language really does stink. It’s a sad sad sight.
The latest comments from the Arsenal number 11’s agent suggesting he is being scapegoated for Arsenal and Arsene’s failings speak volumes too.
Just when you need him to be fresh and sharp and create that game changing moment, so often his first touch does not come naturally, it leaves him and the ball goes into touch.
You might say so what, he’s a modern day player with all the perks at his fingertips. Some players just aren’t cut out to put that kind of shift in. Berbatov and Le Tissier spring to mind. Leading onto my next point.
Special treatment for Special players
Ozil needs special treatment. He’s like a high performance car. You wouldn’t take a Formula One car on your daily commute. He’s not robust enough to do all the jobs on a pitch. He can do one and he can do it very well.
People who say he is not world class. If it’s references you’re after, this will do me right HERE
Taking this further – Go to 1.35 seconds – his wonder goal versus Ludogrets in the Champions League. IF you can watch this and contest that Mesut is nothing short of World Class – please leave by your nearest exit.
The feature image on this article. Is incredible because he turns the defender into a diving goalkeeper and the goalkeeper into a defender desperately scrambling to get back!
Arsenal fans will mourn for Mesut
The German has a contract with Arsenal which will expire in the summer of 2018. If he leaves, I’d bank on him returning to form and joining forces with a manager that cherishes him. Builds a team around him and puts his arm around him – just as you should. Who knows, maybe he will reunite with Mourinho up in Manchester. I’d say the team from up north will likely be in pretty good shape come contract expiry day too…
Further reading over at Arseblog on this subject
