If there is one player that completely divides the Arsenal fans it is our German midfielder Mesut Ozil. We were all pleased that he decided to sign an extension last January after some brilliant performances, but after that he seemed to go back to his lethargic-looking self and was picked on for his lazy style despite still maintaining his excellent stats.
He was derided by fans and pundits alike after he seemed to go missing in our Europa League semi final against Atletico, and he wasn’t seen again until he appeared with the Germany team in Russia to defend their World Cup crown, and that didn’t go very well for him either.
He was rounded on by the German fans for his photo with the Turkish president and then blamed for his national team’s exit from the Group Stages of the World Cup. Even now he is still hounded and told to apologise to the German people or risk being left out of the Germany side in the future.
His father tried to defend him, but Ozil himself has refused to comment, which has only brought more criticism down on his head. Why on Earth would he even want to return after the way he was treated by them?
Ozil had many more breaks than the other Arsenal players last season, with Wenger citing ongoing injury problems when pushed, and now Unai Emery has also been asked if the German’s inconsistency could be a problem next season but the new Boss just thinks that Ozil needs a good rest and relaxation. “We are here to help every player,” Emery said. “For us Mesut is a very important player. We want to help to be well, fine with us.
“The national team didn’t get the results they want but today he is on holiday, and I want him to relax well and I want, when he comes back with us, to start with a good mentality. I want to work with him with a new way and with an ambition to continue with this quality and to help him to get better with the team.”
“Last year was a difficult year for all the team, not only for Mesut. They finished sixth in the Premier League – not the position we want.
“Now it’s a new way. With all the players I want to give them confidence, to give them a chance every day in their work. With quality work it is very easy to arrive at the performance, individual and collective. Mesut is on holiday and I want him to be tranquil and calm.
“We want the international players to come back quickly and start practising hard with us. But it is also important for them to have holidays because the season is very, very hard and very, very long. They need holidays to come full of energy for the start and to give us this quality and this energy in the team.”
With Germany’s early exit from the World Cup, Ozil should start training with the Arsenal side ahead of the tour of Singapore, which starts in 12 days time, but having had such a hard time do you think that Ozil should be given an extra week or two to get over his summer from hell?
Sam P