The biggest story in World Football at the moment is the racist treatment handed out to Mesut Ozil from the German DFB and his fellow countrymen, which has prompted Ozil to retire from the national side….
The furore rages on with both the German Prime Minister and the Turkish president (amongst hundreds of others) joining in the debate, but thankfully Ozil has now joined up with the Arsenal squad in Singapore for our pre-season games, and his team-mates are keen to make him welcome and try to forget about all the nastiness in Europe. Petr Cech explained it like this when asked about Ozil’s situation. “I’m not in a position to really comment on that, it’s a private personal matter for Mesut against the German Federation. As a team we support him here, we try to make sure he feels good, so he can train and perform at his best. As a team that’s all we can do. Obviously his decision is his decision and everyone should respect that.
“He’s training really well, he’s happy to be with us and we’re happy to have him back as well because he is one of the key players in our team and we need him to be fit and ready for the season. He has been working really hard so hopefully he will be fit.
“In general in football you always have criticism and it’s not always the right thing to do to a player. Football brings so many millions of people and opinions together that it’s always been like that. As a professional football player you have to make sure it doesn’t move you and that you perform. That’s all you have to do – perform on the pitch and then all the critics disappear.”
If only that were true, as this one looks set to run and run, but Cech went on to say how important it is that he gets support from us in this troubled time. “… I have to say Mesut has come back and is really happy to be here. As I said Mesut is an important player for us, we want him to perform, we want him to feel comfortable. He has the support from the team and we hope by the start of the season he will be fit and ready to perform for us.”
Cech was then asked if Ozil would make a good captain for Arsenal, and he replied. “That’s a question for the manager, but obviously he’s one of the most experienced players and he’s a world champion. He’s played at international level, and he’s a key player for us so yes he’s one of the candidates.”
Personally I have never thought of Ozil as a possible captain, but maybe it would be good for him? He has certainly shown he has balls in his statement to the DFB, but is he really a leader on the pitch?
Darren N
Nah, Ramsey, Chambers and Monreal are more suited to the task
Please think hard (I know you can do it) and you will see that Ramsey is not material for anything for top level of football. Maybe he plays great in FIFA when you play him but in real life he is an average player which is overrated by english fans.
Chambers and Monreal also are not material to lead a team.
I agree 100%. Ramsey is overrated and should not be in our starting 11. People sometimes speak about him as if he is world-class but IMO he has never shown world-class ability. To me he is undisciplined, low football IQ and a defensive liability. Play him in the same team as Ozil and you have serious defensive problems if you ask me. At best he is a back-up for Ozil.
Ramsey should never earn more than 120k/week IMO
I’m looking forward to seeing Rambo in an Emery system. Emery’s midfield’s were quick, aggressive, press, pass, move, rinse repeat if necessary. Rabiot’s, Matuidi’s, Verratti’s, players with grit and determination but also capable with their passing among other things. Ramsey is one of the few I see tailor made for Emery. Torriera & Ramsey remind me of ingredients Emery had in his PSG team. Explosive is a word that comes to mind, I cannot wait to see Rambo & Torriera together.
Whoever we bring in to fill Wilshere spot will be interesting, he was the one fans should’ve been saying ..what does he bring. Niles, not ready yet, but soon, he is another one like Ramsey and Torriera he’s got traits that could work well with those players.
Your name didn’t reflect in your comment
Going from Ozil past, no. Ozil is not a confrontational player, he doesn’t seem like the guy who will kick the def up the backside or yell at the strikers to put effort into their work… and then he looks like he doesn’t much effort in (looks!).
It doesn’t mean he can’t be important for us, Gilberto was a silent giant… DB10 shown passion but he wasn’t a run himself into the ground type but used his intelligence. Neither one was cptn material but they was leaders.
It is clear that OZIL is not captain material. Neither are virtually ALL footballers world wide. The sad truth is that the snowflake generation of young people which includes footballers have hardly ever the toughness needed to captain. I can think of no obvious captains at Arsenal now. Nor has there been since Viera left. SAD BUT CLEARLY TRUE. I would have chosen Cech, though a keeper is never ideal but I hope he will be leaving, though THINK he won’t. Other than that, only the newbie, Lichtsteiner but he won’t get the armband. So who knows?
not so long ago it seemed settled ground ozil’s command of english was still a work of progress. it seems odd to jettison ozil into the captaincy based largely (it seems) out of empathy with his being offered up as a scapegoat by German-detractors after a poor showing in the world cup.
And like its been said “I can think of no obvious captains at Arsenal now …etc”. A captain if it was by natural selection if there ever was one would be cech purely on grounds of what he’s achieved as a player plus he’s shown already the discipline necessary to actually win the epl: plus he speaks english as well – its essential to be able to communicate in no uncertain terms with the majority of our fans.
We have accepted a bid for the permanent transfer of Jeff Reine Adelaide to Angers.He will have an “Arsenal” clause in his contract which means Angers have to accept any bid from Arsenal as long as it matches any other bid they accept.
Alex Iwobi has also now signed a new five year deal with us.So he’s honoured the verbal agreement I see.
Just a reminder,that Aaron Ramsey’s future will be very clear this week or early next week.All indications point to him signing so don’t treat it like news when he signs.Im even tempted to say he will sign.I think there’s been a problem with Ramsey’s agency causing all this delay from my point of view.
Another 5 years of Iwobi??
Aye.
Jeff is better than Iwobi in my view. Sad to see him go, where on Gods earth is Zelalem?
Don’t worry as I said there’s an “Arsenal” clause in his contract which means Angers have to accept any bid from Arsenal as long as it matches any other bid they accept.
I just hope he’s injury free and fulfills his potential so we can sign him back.But he’s more talented even than the good version of Iwobi.
Yep, kid has immense potential. Also i hope we don’t sign any winger this season as i feel Nelson is ready to take that step, or if and when we do sign one i hope its someone that’ll come in short term, someone really experienced. Tired of seeing us sell all this kids without ever giving them a chance. Iwobi will come good though, i have a good feeling about him this coming season. Tell me though, whats your take on the whole Gazidis thing? Cause ill be really disappointed if he was to leave now, kinda feel like we need him.
He may be better than Iwobi (which i dont think he is) but he is too injury prone, if we have truly inserted a buy back clause in the deal, then we have nothing to worry about.
I wouldn’t call it a buy back clause.I think there’s a rule against that for young French player or so.Something like that.
Sue I told you Iwobi isn’t going. He can still develop into a great player. Let’s give the young man a chance.
Hmmmm I won’t hold my breath Charley ?
Wrong Kev!
Ramsey and Arsenal are waiting for Barca or Real to bid for him but only Inter Milan is interested… just iinterested.
Nobody wants Wenger s golden boy.
Maks, you seem to want to impress everyone with your knowledge.
If we disagree, then we’re obsessed with playing games.
So let me ask you a simple question… following on from your observation that Ramsey is not fit to lead anything, can you tell me the name of the youngest ever Welsh football captain, who led his country for twelve full international games are was appointed by none other than Gary Speed?
I’ll give you a clue…it has something to do with the player Emery wants to build his team around… got it yet?
Nobody wants Wenger’s golden boy ( grow up please )you then boldly state as you show your knowledge of football…well what about Emery?
Silly you, fancy forgetting our own manager!!!
You will be disappointed.The player has already agreed the contract.This means our offer is good.As I said I’m 90% confident his future will be decided this week if not then early next week.
kev, I thought you might have cited the Roma / Barca incident regarding the transfer of Malcolm.
Roma are saying that they had an agreement with the player and his club. and the deal was done.
Then Barca entered the fray a and completed the signing.
That’s what you have been trying to explain to your followers isn’t it?
Don’t want to waste my time explaining that.People will come at me for no reason.We can all agree to disagree but from the little English I know the same word used in different context means a different thing.
A deal and personal terms being agreed is about as useful as a “no deal”.Why?This is because another club can come in and match the offer I.e the bid and salary at anytime.Whrn I say “done deal” what I mean to say is the deal will surely happen 100%.It’s not to say the player has signed though a deal in itself is done when a player has signed.Simple easy to understand English but I guess we have lots of debators here.
No one has realised yet, we are in the ?for a number of reasons.
It looks like the 50m budget is true with Torreira fee being paid over 3 years
No one will buy Ustanov shares, who will pay so much to have No control
Eventually Kronkie will own the shares and the company will be private. We will have no idea who/where/what the club buys sells or spends
And just a thought if Ustinov goes to Everton they will become a real force
I doubt the £50m budget tbh.
We might not have that much but considering we’ve tried to sign Nzonzi for like £25m and a £44m bid for Coman which people don’t believe our cash is more than £50m.Weve also been offering players new and improved deals so that also adds to it.
The £50m is not true imo.
Offering players new deals wont cut it with fans, we are the 6th richest club in the world. Liverpool are spending big even after the coutino money has been spent and they dont make as much money. And offering money for players doesn’t mean anything ALL players are for sale
Compare the number of the players we have bought to what Liverpool has bought you will see we have brought in more. I know it is all about the price tag with many of us but to be honest with you as regard Liverpool, there is a different between buying big and over paying for players. The players they brought in are decent though. IMO the biggest transfer so far is done by Arsenal in bring in Emery. i know it doesn’t count much for some fans but it is for me.
Yeah offering a new deal to Iwobi!!!
I’m not getting the logic behind some of these new contracts at all.
Me neither Kev!
Also our signings are a bit overrated.You could say this window so far has been a success due to Torreira tbh.The defence to me is still a problem and it’s very interesting if Emery is really willing to gamble on Ramsey who’s quite injury prone.A gamble in defence and in central midfield.
I wish we signed Soyuncu who I heard we dont want to sign anymore due to the number of our CB’s.The guy really shouldve been an Arsenal player.Dont think the £30-£35m was the problem.If you want to know about his potential ask why Ath. Madrid who value defensive game will try to replace the World class Godin with him.He’s the perfect Koscielny replacement.
Exactly my thoughts. Soyuncu looks a classy mobile defender, reminds me of a young Rio Ferdinand, with another 10 years in his locker. We paid £35m for Mustafi!!!
Instead of giving Iwobi a new 5 year contract why not assess him at the end of next season before investing £17.5m (5 x £3.5m) in him? Maybe Emery sees something in him that we haven’t.
Maybe he should go to Specsavers ?
And get them rose tinted?
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Common sense.I agree.But what we always hear is “the coach knows better”.The all defensive cliche is what I call it.
The Xhaka one was the one that did it for me.I don’t know what considerations were made before giving him that new contract.I thought players work hard for new and improved contracts?This is evident by their performances and if Xhaka has been offered a new contract I don’t want anyone telling me about how bad Mustafi is.
@John now I can appreciate your football knowledge we are the same old arsenal changing the manager without committing enough funds to support him is a big joke.A manager gives only 20% in terms of tactics and what not the rest in in terms of player performance depends on the ability of the player (talent).Emery will not turn stones into bread for the deluded whose hate for Wenger has clouded their judgment.Spend like others!protests were directed to wrong man kreonke is the major culprit
So would you re-engage WENGER AND SACK EMERY?
Emery should have been SACKED immediately after losing to Brentford in last weeks behind closed door friendly with Brentford.Hes been toooooooooLong and simply has to go.
Oh I agree . Here over two months already and not even won the Treble yet.
Captain?
Wilshere! 🙂
You guys are mugs for believing every bs you read just bec someone of our own guys claimed something. Ozil is using the race card to avoid responsibility and gain favors with Erdogan as his career in Germany has come to an end and his value sponsor wise has dropped so low that him continuing with Germany was impossible. Germany failed in ditching him and Ozil turned this around by using the momentum to clean himself free from responsibility by shifting fault towards a complete diff road.
I would understand it if Mesut would sooner come out and make his claim, but only now that he was named on of the worst in the world cup and now after his value has drooped so much that no one was about to sign him even with the option of him being a free player?
Plays bad, gets sick, when being called out for his attitude others are either jealous, Lampard, not talented enough to speak, our own Koewn or just simple a bunch of racist.
Such a fickle person should never wear the captain armband. I am sure that if he doesnt hold his bs together his time at Arsenal will also come to an end, as Emery is no push over and things like excuses wont be tolerated anymore in the club.
So lm guessing you don’t rate him then
One could consider me fanboy but i have seen enough already. I want to see results and no more excuses.
Phil and ks-gunner, the fact that Ozil came back straight away to train with Arsenal and fly out for the games in Singapore, as well as the commitment he showing in training under Emery, may indicate a increased steel and resoluteness in Ozil. I may be an optimist, but if Ozil has returned to Arsenal to “prove the bastards wrong”, then Arsenal may see Ozil back to his best. I hope Emery pushes Ozil to be more selfish and drive for goal, rather than looking to pass, so that defenses are in two minds. He is a very competent finisher.
From stats I have read Ozil still created the most chances of any player at the World Cup; however Germany’s finishing was diabolical. As for Uli Hoeness what has he got to say about the performances of the 8 Bayern Munich players in the German squad?
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Him earning 350k is also criminal. He needs to work his socks of to justify this. I dont blame Ramsey for playing us to earn also a lot. Dude must be thinking. I work so hard and this fella with his lean back attitude is earning 3x the amount i do, so why not me getting also a big chunk. Show me the moneeee babygirl, yee?
I think we learnt our lesson from letting Ozil’s and Sanchez contract run down it canot hapen again being free agent then geting bumper salary for sighning on fee
Ramsy has to sighn a new contract or he has to go he canot hold us ransom regarding Ozils salary at the time we were desperate to try and keep both players Ozil and Sanchez, I don’t know what Arsenal offer is to Ramsy but one year left on his contract his worth 160k a week with add on’s, Harry Kane is on 200K a week with add on’s
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Please provide the proof he is on 350k or 300k. Saying things over and over again doesn’t make it the truth. Giving him 350k is increasing is wages by whooping 200k if he was on 150k before. Do you believe arsenal can do that under Kroenke. Think man. And if he is on it why hating on the guy. He didn’t give it to himself and it not your money. A lot of people had said this here but it keeps coming up. Is he living the life of your dream. A guy reputation was viciously attack and you think it was ok. Was he the only one who had his photo taken with Edogan. Anybody who didn’t watch the world cup can’t be easily deceived into believe that he is one of the worst11 player in the event. He wasn’t even in the worst 50 and in the first 11 for German team in my own lists.
Yes i do think so, him earning that kind of money is a as a rare exception, consider the situation Wenger has brought us in. Him getting the money was simple cheaper then losing him for free and going out and getting a new player after all.
I am hating bec he is not making himself as someone worth of respect.
It is not my money but i am still entitled to judge him, regardless how much money he earns, and what good of a life he has.
He always had a shaky reputation, not only in Germany but also while growing up, playing for werder, playing for real madrid ( bad attitude, lazy, smoking and clubing)
Others where attacked as well, right so. Emre Can for once did the right choice in ignoring a lunatic as he refused to be a tool of propaganda.
Consider his reputation as a good player, and as someone who is at 350k he was an absolute failure.
What else to other then wishing you a good night. Jesus man. Fanboisem is a hella of a thing. No wonder we have fallen so low during the years.
So you actually haven’t got any proof that he is earning the salary you quote, is that correct?
Do you honestly believe that Ozil was the worst German player at the world cup?
Shaky reputation?
Is that why he had 90 plus caps for Germany and a world cup winners medal and numerous player of the year awards?
Maybe it’s you on shaky ground if you check the facts.
Common sense make you realize that Arsenal are sitting very high when it comes in paying players. Ozil is on the top, now make use of your logic. 300k+ is not crazy in today football. When you bring his reputation and talent with him he was one of the worst. Out of touch with football. Plays only for the cash. Yes shaky reputation. I might surprise you mr Ken, but there are some certain players who are problematic at times but still worth the shoot overtime. Maybe..Scheisse… we have no time for such tllk. Arsenal fans like others are also no free from guilt, and crazy nuts can be found everywhere. Ozil is no free from harm here at Arsenal and i am sure in case of him not getting serious the same abuse will await him here as well. So good luck to him otherwise send him back to baba lunatic.
So II ask you once again, have you the proof that Ozil is on £300 – £350k a week?
Your not a politician, so please answer this direct question with a direct answer.
It’s all very well to make statements that are factual if they can be backed up with facts.
So let’s have your sources and I will be the first to congratulate you for your knowledge.
Can’t you disprove it?
It is common knowledge that Ozil is on between £300-350k a week, it has been reported by many outlets, this may be wrong but prove it is wrong.
I don’t have to prove anything as I’m not making any accusations.
If someone is using a fictitious figure to prove a point, it is their duty to prove a fact.
Otherwise they have no case have they?
Quite a few players improved and prolonged their club careers by quitting international duty relatively early (EG. Paul Scholes, Alan Shearer) so hopefully Ozil and Arsenal will benefit from this decision on the pitch.
As for captain material, I’m not sure Ozil is ideal, but neither is Aaron Ramsey. I seem to remember that Ramsey used to be the Wales captain, and that didn’t go too well, so he was replaced by Ashley Williams. Also Ramsey is a decent player, but he’s not great in the positioning and awareness department, so I wouldn’t want him telling other players what to do or where to be.
I’m fed-up of Arsenal having captains that don’t play or are on the brink of leaving. The captain should be one of the first names on the team sheet as well as a leader on the pitch, and nobody stands out at the moment, but there are a lot of changes going on at Arsenal so hopefully things will become clearer once Emery has had a chance to work on the team this season.
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What bout cech for captaincy
OT- Starting Lineuo against Athletico- 4-3-3
Aubameyang Lacazette Nelson
Smith Willock M. Niles
Osei-tutu Mavropanos Papastathopoula Bellerin
Cech
Ozil was one of the worst players in the world cup?? What would you call Giroud who did not have ONE shot on target in the whole tournament which has got to be a world record. And he got a World Cup medal!! In contrast Ozil provided 7 good chances in Germany’s last game against S.Korea with 2 or 3 of them fluffed by their new wonderboy Timo Werner who reminded me of Giroud who needed 5 chances to score 1 goal.
We should be thankful we have someone with his quality at our club and quit sniping at him like the media. That said he has not got the qualities to be captain and in the absence of Kos I would go for Ramsey who can lead by example. If he goes then I have no clue.
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WTF @ Iwobi contract!!!! He’s the worst player ever in the whole world past, present and future
RVP-whatever you do don’t for gods sake mention Nelson Mandela
?? still as witty as ever Phil ?
Like you Sue!!
Why would I mention the building del boy lives in?
Is that the Mandela towers in Peckam, where the Peckam spring water comes from.
My favorite captains of all time were Tony Adams, Viera and Henry
If Torreira does well then later on he should be considered for captain. Reason I say that is the defensive midfielder is the hardest working and sort of a leader on the pitch. Hopefully he may the leader we’ve needed for a long time.
Other good choices:
Aubameyang because he is our best player
Lacazette
Monreal is our most consistent defender
I agree with the first two, but Henry?? I’m not so sure, I don’t fancy strikers as captain e.g. Kane for England.
If Lichtsteiner displaces Bellerin, he is a strong candidate for captain (being long term captain of the Swiss National Team).
Cannot sleep. First competitive game for Emery’s Army this season. In 4 hours time !!
Is it being shown live anywhere?
Yes, in the ground. 3d makes it look like the players are right there…..
But I live 350 miles away and there are no helipads nearby and the trains are cr*p!!
Seriously, I would love to be at the ground but it is not possible, will have to make do with the highlights. Thanks anyway.
Andrew E yes it’s live on Premier Sports, free if you’re on Virgin, channels 127 and 551. Kickoff is 12.30pm today uk time.
I’m watching Dortmund v Benfica at present.
Trying to find other sites as I’m not on virgin!
You can watch it on Bet 365 if you have an account
Cheers Billy
I just hope a Regular starter is made captain. Not regular bencher. Wenger did that. Makes no sense to me .
Ha ha ha Ozil captain material? That’s a good one.
Racism? How?? If Arsenal were playing Champions League (maybe someday again) and Ozil met with the Chelsea coach and had a Chelsea flag with him and signed it and gave it to him and maybe said something like “you’re my ideal coach”…before the tournament (like he did before the WC), all the Arsenal fans would go nuts and nobody would talk racism at all. What he did was the same. It has nothing to do with race but he has clearly showed that he is not a German at heart which is the problem. The German FA made it easy for him and gave him so many opportunities to say something like “it is an honor for me to play for Germany” but no, he just kept his mouth shut and sulked. Nothing to do with race or racism. His heart is with Turkey and he probably should have been playing for them, that’s all. This is why the Germans (including many of the players) are so upset with him. I mean the guy has no heart anyway, but if he doesn’t even care about the team in the first place he is going to try EVEN LESS if that is even possible. Ozil captain material ha ha ha
Racism: “prejudice, discrimination, or antagonism directed against someone of a different race based on the belief that one’s own race is superior.”
Race: “The term race refers to groups of people who have differences and similarities in biological traits deemed by society to be socially significant,”
Thought you needed to be told what racism is as you appear to have it confused.
Who said anything about race? Ozil is a Turk far more than he is a German and the Germans don’t like it . It is not his race that is the issue but the country that he identifies with more. He should have played for turkey
Personally and in comon with all truly evolved people , I see ONLY the human race. Other races are dogs, cats, lions, whales, Martians(if they exist) and so on.
Get wingers, sound it to Enemy’s hearings, We weed a leon Bailey or wilifred zaha..
Barca,city and Liverpool got Malcolm, Mahrex,Xhaqiri despite haven top talents In the position..
I don’t want sideways passes,crowding the midfield position and making aimless passes,trying to walk the ball in the net against bus parking teams..
Failure to getting wingers means our football won’t be too different from last season with Wenger..
Top teams invest year in year out in that position, check around
We need to attack from both flanks and the midfield.