Mesut Ozil could be given the central midfield role by Arsene Wenger in the upcoming Premier League season according to a report today.
Wenger is still trying to find the best way he can fit Ozil in his talent-laden midfield. The German world cup star has been shifted around Arsenal’s three attacking midfield slots. And still, Wenger couldn’t figure out a permanent slot for him.
Ozil is a record signing for the Gunners having arrived from Real Madrid in 2013 for a fee of £42 million. But Ozil had tough time in settling down at the club and hasn’t hit the heights that were expected of him. His last season was hampered by injury and had frustrating spells out because of injury.
The attacking midfield slot was alternated between Alexis Sanchez and Ozil for the last season. And when Ozil was out on the sidelines, Sanchez made it his own; and emphatically. His influence from the central attacking role helped the Gunners more than that of Ozil.
With Wenger looking to finally put Ozil in the central role, it would mean Sanchez will have to move to the wing. He also had a great Copa America in the central role and would have hoped to continue in that role for the new season. Sanchez scored 16 goals for Arsenal last year in 35 appearances while Ozil found the back of the net 4 times in 22 matches.
It would be difficult for Sanchez to not be the first choice for the central attacking role despite his impressive numbers. But Wenger is trying his best to coax the best out of his record buy. He believes that this could be the long term solution to fitting both Sanchez and Ozil in the attacking three.
Despite having a wealth of options in the attacking midfield position, this report reckons that Wenger is not apparently ruling out signing another winger this summer.
Before doing all that, Wenger would try to fit Ozil in the central role in the hope that he can find a key to his success. Do you think Ozil in the central attacking role will bring the best of him to the Emirates or should Wenger continue to give Sanchez free rein in that spot?
Sridhar