It seems that Arsenal playmaker Mesut Ozil divides opinion in football fans in general. At Werder Bremen and Real Madrid, the 31-year-old looked like a potential superstar, earning the moniker of ‘Europe’s assist king’.
On and off he has produced assists for the Gunners, but he has also at times looked disinterested. The arrival of Mikel Arteta as head coach certainly places further question marks about his place in the Arsenal setup.
Ozil needs to show the right attitude to stay in the team
The former Germany international has started both of Arteta’s games in charge. He produced a decent display against Chelsea in a 2-1 defeat last time out, earning good applauses when going off late in the game.
However, new Gunners boss Arteta has warned the midfielder he has to show the right attitude to maintain his place in the starting eleven.
Asked by press if he plans to build his team around Ozil, Arteta replied by saying: ‘No, I put him in the team if I see every day that his attitude, desire and understanding of what we’re trying to do is there. He has the will and if he is in a better moment than somebody else, I will pick him. The moment this changes, he won’t play.’
Not having enough of an effect
Some have described Mesut Ozil as a ‘luxury player’. This term may be slightly harsh, but it is based on the fact that he is considered to be a player who does not always give the team a hundred per cent. Whether that opinion is right or wrong, one thing is for sure Ozil has certainly not offered value for money in recent years.
He does not have enough of an effect on games or produce enough of what he is capable to justify his massive wage packet. At 31, his career seems to be in the dying embers stage, when some of his contemporaries are flourishing. He found himself out of favour with former boss Unai Emery. That was understandable, as Ozil never really fit the mould of an Emery player.
Only time will tell if he is a Mikel Arteta player. Arteta and Ozil shared a dressing room at the north London club during the Spaniard’s playing days. He will know the German well and for Arsenal’s sake hopefully get the best out of the mercurial star. If he does then it will be an achievement.
Arsenal need to pick up points
Arteta’s arrival has done little to arrest the Gunners concerning run of form. Arsenal head into tonight’s home game against Manchester United as underdogs at odds of 7/4 for victory.
In reality, they are badly in need of three points against the Red Devils. Not only have they slipped out of the top four and six, but they have also slipped into the bottom half of the Premier League table. Their poor run means the team from north London are just six points above the relegation zone.
You would assume that Arsenal will have too much quality in their team to actually ever get near the drop zone. However, the truth is that the Gunners squad is no longer full of quality players. Instead, it is full of nearly players and promising youngsters.
Ozil’s career has almost flat-lined. He showed some signs of life against Chelsea. However, as with the German for most of his Arsenal career, it was just not quite enough.
Arteta will need all his supposed coaching acumen to get Ozil back to his best. It is a tough task and maybe it is impossible. It seems the Spaniard has not given up on Ozil just yet. Maybe there is hope left for Ozil in north London.
Does Mesut Ozil have a future at Arsenal under Arteta?
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