It is not just for Arsenal that this season is important – because they are supposed to make a run for the title. It is equally important for their mercurial German midfielder Mesut Ozil.
The former Real Madrid star has not entirely convinced the fans and the club of his ability to go to the next level. He has wowed the fans initially and there were enough reasons to believe that his transfer is well justified.
Paying over the top was never a norm at the club – especially with the prudent Arsene Wenger hawking every minute detail. But, after a good enough start, Ozil’s form tapered off and the questions started popping up from every quarter.
Last season when he was injured and when Alexis Sanchez was employed in his preferred central role, there were enough indications that the Chilean was more suited to the role. But, Wenger quashed any questions on who would start in that role ahead of this season by saying that Ozil would start in his favorite season.
Ozil scored just five times in 32 appearances for Arsenal last season. The challenge has already been laid in front of Ozil by Wenger who wants his star midfielder to score in double digits. The German playmaker understands that needs to be more ruthless in front of the goal as well as be more ‘egotistical’ to gain personal recognition.
“I have to become more dangerous in front of the goal,” he told reporters.
“I was injured for long spells last season, and scored only five in 32 competitive games. I want to improve this. To achieve it, I have to be a bit more egotistical.”
The need to be selfish stems from the personal ambition of winning the Ballon d’Or – a trophy which has become a personal property of Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo. Ozil realizes that injuries prevented him last season from showing his true skills but want to make the most of his central position this year.
The jury is still out on Ozil. The fans and the club are yet to be convinced of his ability to be their central playmaker. That could just be the motivation Ozil may need to prove everyone wrong and move towards realizing his Ballon d’Or ambition.
But perhaps he should be concentrating more on Arsenal’s targets rather than thinking ofpersonal glory?
Sridhar
We have Long harboured a mug for a Manager……… It’s over due!
If, and that’s a big if, the jury is still out on Ozil, then it is as a LW. His ability as a world class number 10 hasn’t once been questioned. He doesn’t score enough to compete with Messi and Ronald. He’d need 30 assists to compete with 50+ goals from the both of them.
If it’s true that Wenger lied to the Fans about Welbeck’s injury to not increase the pressure on him to get another striker, then that’s pretty despicable. But I will wait to see how he responds
Everybody is dumbfounded as to why Wenger didn’t strengthen the squad more, Alan Shearer, Henry, Neville, Mersen, etc. But to still not getting a striker after knowing Welbeck will be out til Christmas (if true) is highly irresponsible and detrimental to our team. Wenger said he will be back after international break
Also, if Welbeck does come back in December, will Wenger say “Welbeck is like a new signing” “like a brand nee striker, so no need to get one in January” lol
I thought both OG and Theo would be able to play up top.
Ozil is not big headed. Just Arsenal writers are just small minded.
Özil arguably our best player, come on… Arsenals issues lie elsewhere
Ozil isn’t big headed, he’s confident in his ability which is absolutely fine. However for him to win the Ballon D’Or he has a massive amount of developing/improving to do in his game here.
1. Goals: a CAM/support ST has to chip in a decent figure.
2. Assists: his calling card, needs to dominate England by a distance.
3. Big games: needs to be the architect for us winning several.
4. All-round game: ‘lazy-types’ don’t win it, his personality has to really shine through in matches.
He’s got the raw talent, but es got a long way to go to touch Ballon D’Or. PFA player of the year and such first Mesut.
Genuinely curious Charlie. What have you made of his performances so far this season??
I’m obviously a big fan of his, but even his biggest fans will note that consistency and drifting in and out of games was obviously a big issue, especially early on. My biggest criticism of his was his involvement. Periods in a game that were too long without him showing a willingness to have the ball at his feet and try to heavily impact a game for more than a few quick bursts.
I thought he showed a lot of improvement when he returned last season, and so far from what I’ve seen he’s been a prominent figure in our attack, created a lot of our better chances and seems a lot more intent on making things happen.
Wondering how you’ve rated his performances so far?
@josh37…….u can’t back ozil (after a few seasons)who manages to work with an average and wasteful striker like OG…….. But would gladly back a stubborn manager who’s swung in mediocrity for Longer than a decade…..tell me u are not being sentimental ere
WTF are you talking about?
‘I’m obviously a big fan of his’ re: Ozil. Can you read mate?
Ozil would have looked even more brilliant with Benzema or Cavani to take advantage of his brilliant passing
We will need to hope Giroud and Walcott play especially well this season
Exactly, he can slide through a pass with a striker that has back to goal…
Ozil is a class CAM.
His chances created
stats are off the scale.
But he is even better when he has players
in front of him who have pace and finishing skills.
Having played for Real Madrid and Germanys
world cup winning side Ozil has high expectations.
Giroud Sanogo and Wellbeck are not what he is used to.
Should he adapt to a lower level or should we have better strikers?
It would seem Wenger espouses the second option.
I meant Wenger espouses
the first option 🙂
If only Wenger espoused the
better strikers option …sigh.
Ozil’s often defensive first action is what I honestly believe deceives the most with his style of play. Space and time are what his game uses to the most dangerous effect so the fact that he almost always gives himself a bit of room to work with is perceived as hindering the attack, but where the ball ends up next is rarely the case.
Haha he’s almost like that passive aggressive girlfriend who it’s only after you break up that you realize what complete control she had over you…. And how much of a sneaky little sh!t she was!
Ozil is big eyed not big headed ?
if he were as selfish as you say he was,
He would be like Ramsey, shooting at goal at every opportunity instead of passing to someone who was in a better position to score ?
Everytime Nemo touches the ball I get an adrenalin pump