Mesut Ozil has been slammed for his display against Stoke City yesterday, being singled out as a ‘liability’ for Arsenal.
The German international has come under similar criticisms on a number of displays last season, and it appears as if nothing has changed.
“We’ve all seen him [Ozil] on his day and he’s a world class talent in possession, although he was poor in that respect today,” Gerrard said.
“I just worry about his body language and his reaction when the ball is turned over. He offers his teammates nothing away from defensively and away from home he’s a liability.
“Both his and Xhaka’s reaction in the build-up to the goal is weak. Ozil gives up and quits, he doesn’t track the run.”
Former Gunner Keown also slammed his efforts, continuing: ‘Arsenal can’t afford to carry him away from home.
‘It’s not real you can tell he’s going through the motions and he needs to take a long hard look at himself.’
The German is into the final 12 months of his contract, and has mostly remained silent on his plans for the future. It remains unknown whether his uncertainty is causing him a distraction on the playing field, but his attitude needs adjusting if we are to seriously contend for this year’s Premier League title.
We have a number of options in our squad who can play in his position, and Arsene Wenger may finally have to drop him if he continues to fail to show the fight needed to help propel us up the table.
Some have argues that his exceptional reading of the game and creative ability is too good to exclude, but the amount of times we have seen his failings damage our team’s result is inexcusable.
Does Ozil deserve to find himself being benched until his attitude changes? Is his uncertain future causing him problems?
Pat J