On Wednesday night, Chelsea recorded a 4-1 victory over London rivals Arsenal in the Europa League final in Baku. After a fairly quiet first half, the Blues took control of the game, with Belgian star Eden Hazard playing a crucial part in the win, scoring twice and producing an assist.
In contrast, Arsenal’s star man Mesut Ozil was virtually none existent in the final. It was hard to tell he was even on the pitch at times. In fact, the German was taken off on 77 minutes and replaced by youngster Joe Willock, who produced a far livelier display.
Not a big game player
There is no secret to becoming a big game player. If a player wants to be a big game player he turns up in the big games and has an impact. Hazard was the perfect example on Wednesday night.
When Chelsea needed something more, he stepped up his game, having a hand in the Blues final three goals against the Gunners. Arsenal needed Ozil to produce inspiration, he seemed to disappear.
It is not the first time the German has struggled to live up to his billing and he is no longer the Gunners can build a team around.
A terrible financial mistake from Arsenal
There are very few players in the English game that are on the same sort of ridiculous wages as Ozil. The former-Real Madrid star reportedly earns around £350,000 per week.
Arsenal produced one of the biggest financial gaffs in the history of the game handing him that contract. The Blues were held to ransom by the player’s advisors, as the German could have left as a free agent.
However, to give in to his ridiculous demands considering his form since the contract renew now looks crazy. At the time it seemed crazy, it looks even worse now.
Gunners boss Unai Emery was reportedly not a fan of Ozil, and the German has not exactly been a central figure for the team this season. His performance in the final only added to the frustration of Arsenal fans with the playmaker’s recent displays.
More and more Arsenal fans are now stating that they want the Gunners to sell Mesut Ozil this summer. The biggest problem in attempting to sell the German is that giant aforementioned weekly wage packet.
It seems that no club in their right mind would give Ozil a similar wage to the one he is currently picking up. If a club does want to sign him, then Arsenal will probably have to carry on paying some of his wages for the remainder of his contract. Quite simply it’s a massive drain on the club’s finances.
Outsiders for the top-four once again next season
Mesut Ozil is not the only problem for Arsenal. The team needs major surgery. Boss Unai Emery is likely to have only a small transfer kitty to strengthen his squad with this summer.
With the current squad, it is no wonder that Arsenal are outsiders to make the top-four at odds of 11/10 next season. The team from north London are not only running the risk of falling further behind their fellow top-four teams, but they are also in big danger from the teams below them.
The likes of Wolves and Everton could prove to be a threat to the club from north London. Both clubs’ hierarchies have proven in the past they are now afraid to splash the cash. If the pair strengthens their squads, Arsenal could be in a battle to even retain a top-six spot next season.
There needs to be major changes this summer at the north London club. For me, one of the first things that should happen this summer is for the Gunners to sell Ozil and end the German’s highly unconvincing Arsenal career.
Should Arsenal sell Mesut Ozil this summer?
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