It is now looking abundantly clear that Unai Emery does not rate Mesut Ozil as a player that can cope with the Arsenal boss’ instructions and physical demands, or can fit into his changing tactical systems. So, despite his medals, records broken and multiple personal accolades, the German midfielder was left on the bench again yesterday for our massive game against Chelsea. Ozil has made it very obvious that there is no issue with his fitness and he has been fit and ready to play, as he his now weekly tweet made clear….
Another week of full team training done ✔ Feeling good & confident ⚽?? #M1Ö #YaGunnersYa #COYG @Arsenal pic.twitter.com/Kw9EXOxYtT
— Mesut Özil (@MesutOzil1088) January 18, 2019
But that is obviously not enough for our Spanish coach, so could it be that there is a personal rift with Emery? Jose Mourinho thinks that perhaps Emery is not getting the right balance to motivate Ozil to be his best. “Honestly, I don’t know what is going on, if he is having a physical problem or not,’ Mourinho explained on beIN SPORTS. ‘I know that there was some problem in relation to his contract, he is leaving on a free then he is not leaving on a free. I think finally he signed a contract and decided to stay.
‘So there is not an issue with contract, so I believe there is something with the physical point of view or there is some confrontation of ideas with Unai. I think the nature of football is exactly this nature. ‘With me, Ozil played amazingly well but maybe not with Unai. And maybe a certain player that I don’t remember was phenomenal with Unai but doesn’t work as well with me. It’s just the nature of empathy.
‘I just feel that Ozil is the kind of player that needs the both sides of it. By one side, if you are just sweet with him, you lose his natural aggression because he’s not naturally a very strong, physical player in terms of aggression. ‘If you are too strong with him and forget that he also needs a bit of care, a little bit of love, you don’t find the right balance. So I think it’s about finding the right balance with him.’
I’m not sure I agree with that. Why should a supposedly world-class player need handling with kid gloves to get him to play his best? Surely just his immense wage packet at the end of every week should give him the impetus to prove he is the best, week in and week out. It would appear that the rumours are true and that Emery really does want Ozil to leave so he can use his wages to bring in replacements that will fit his system.
Whatever the reasons, it looks like Ozil will have some hard thinking to do if he is continually left on the bench for all games, whether they are big or small…
Darren N
Surely if this keeps up a little longer, Ozil out of pride will want to leave Arsenal. He may be getting $300k a week but every player wants to play. He may ask to leave and renegotiate his contract with another team. I mean he’s rich enough as it is!
Emery clearly doesn’t trust him for the intense games and i think once that is clear to a player, for me, it’s time to leave. It’s clear emery will leave him out for difficult games and only play him when we play botttom teams at home. It’s now ozil’s and the club’s decision to decide if that’s enough for a player earning that much because at his age, it would be unfair to expect him to change his style. Selling him is another issue all together.
“I just feel that Ozil is the kind of player that needs the both sides of it. By one side, if you are just sweet with him, you lose his natural aggression because he’s not naturally a very strong, physical player in terms of aggression. ‘If you are too strong with him and forget that he also needs a bit of care, a little bit of love, you don’t find the right balance. So I think it’s about finding the right balance with him.”
I couldn’t put it any better, I think this is the problem, under Wenger he was pampered and spoilt like a kid, got too much love and it affected his physicality, now under Emery he’s getting the hard treatment too much and probably feeling like the only one the coach has something against.
It’s about finding the balance I suppose, now that he’s been working hard and putting in that extra shift at training, Emery will definitely give him his chance again and see how he performs.
I for one wouldn’t mind him leaving, It’s best for the club and best for himself to continue his career elsewhere. I just hope we get a better or proper replacement and not this Banega talk I’ve been reading.
Ramsey and Ozil are both good enough players to be in a UCL winning team, trying to replace them with Suarez and Banega is definitely not it.
Both aren’t better than what we have now, though Suarez with his age should be able to adapt and reach his potential.
I just hope to let Ramsey and Ozil go, we’ll get better replacements
I was disappointed at Ozil not being in the starting 11 & what makes it even worse (for me) is we coped & played really well without him…. I really don’t know where things are heading with him… only Emery does! Who knows what goes on behind closed doors, we can only speculate!
I can’t imagine him wanting to sit on the bench week in week out & not play… but he is part of a team.. like it or not what Emery says goes!
Obviously I want him to stay, but the money is a huge issue…
It will be interesting to see how hungry he is and how well he does play once he starts (if he does)
But we need to get a better player in the summer. By better I mean more consistently good
Darren N, must agree with your assessment; the status of being Arsenal’s highest paid player, his player CV and professional and personal pride should make Mezut Ozil push to take every opportunity to prove his worth to Unai Emery and Arsenal.
The issue with Ozil this season, has been his unreliable availability due to injury and his lack of consistency from game to game when he does play.
Mesut Ozil did not play worse than some of the players who play consistently, but his problem with Unai isn’t how he plays but his wage bill which Ozil can’t do anything about it. If today Ozil decides to cut down his wage bill about 100k per week, I can assure you he’ll play week in week out. Unai wants to push him out by freezing him from play time. Whether he succeeds on this or not is a story for another day.
Unai is jailous of ozil take home pay nothing else
Maybe, but for sure are most of the Ozil haters. Ozil proved himself over the years, even playnig for Arsenal and he will play at his level again, with or without Emery.
Gavana, I agree with your comment regarding Mezut Ozil’s wages. Unfortunately with Fair Play Provisions and the lack of funds made available to Unai Emery for transfers, Ozil takes up the funds which Arsenal could allocate to 3 or 4 excellent players. You only have to look at the wages Eriksen, De Bruyne and Rabiot are on at Tottenham, Manchester City and PSG respectively. This is of course not Ozil’s fault, but he and his manager negotiated this deal. It meant that Aaron Ramsey went for a large increase which Arsenal was not prepared to pay and he was able to run down his contract and leave on a free to Juventus (as Martin Keown says “not a mickey mouse club”).
You raise an interesting point about Ozil negotiating a reduction to stay at Arsenal; I would love to see it, but it won’t happen. The Chinese League is the only place where Ozil can get the wages he is on at Arsenal.
Taj aziz, your comment is ridiculous. Please think before you go into print; there are many players in football, who earn far more than their coaches/managers!
@ozziegunner & @Darren N – its often the case in this forum and also on many of the issues it raises. i agree with your comment (today) entirely. As iv indicated below.
Remember the time when we got him, we celebrated like we’ve won the league, how the mighty have fallen! The thing is Wenger mollycoddled him no matter what and we never forgave ozil for that and now he’s paying for it. No matter what he’s been great for us and I reckon the wage he gets now is bittersweet for him. Can you imagine being the highest paid player not being able to get into the first team?
No one can push Ozil out of the team! Ozil is a world class player and the only problem Unai has with him is his weekly wage, same as Ramsey when his contract was withdrawn from the table. from any dimension you look at, Oazil is the winner and his weekly wage makes him the winner whether he plays or not. I guarantee you he will stay with us beyond this season, by then he will be 34ys old and ready to go to china where he will earn even more!. Let Unai swallow his hollow pride and treat the player graciously. I can assure you Ozil is not the worst player we have. He can contribute a lot. I know we can win and lose without him but that doesn’t make him the best or the worst player, his well decorated achievement indicts Unai Emmery.
Gavana, Mourinho made the perfect assessment, he knows Ozil, had a relationship with him.
Ozil was spoilt a lot under Wenger, he’s been working now, it’s left with Emery to decide what next
I despise players who stay at a club because they can’t get a higher contract elsewhere. I don’t believe Ozil would do that, but if he did Gavana. That is not something I would wish to see, and I wouldn’t think – Take that Emery, WTF.
Pls dont bad mouth Emery – every man and his dog know that Ozil cannot and will not defend and his body language is disgusting.Emery is bold enough to show him the bench where he belongs, if not why no major club across Europe wants him? The only reason he was retained was due to undue pressure the fans put on theboard/arsene to retain him as the other brat was misbehaving on and off the pitch and was miving to Manchester.I say Emery is a world class coach, needs full control of the squad and tge type of players he needs for his philosophy, sadly which Ozil is not. For the Ozilites the excuse was that he had giroud in front of him, now he has PEA and Laca, world class strikers, yet is so poor.Ozilites please note that he was never active before now what can he do at 30? He should move to a less physical and slower league for every ones good
Ozilites??? Smh
Sue, I thought I was the only who saw that???
?
Who knows what the issue is? From what we hear, we can speculate that Ozil was not putting in as much effort as others on the training ground. If he is not putting in the work and still plays, what motivation do others have to put in the required effort.
If Ozil was good enough to alter the outcome of games on a weekly basis then people can have a moan about Emery, but he this happens too infrequently to hint that having Ozil in the lineup over any other player that Emery would play.
Emery proves YET AGAIN how much better we look against the top teams without Ozil, and I bet there will still be some demanding Ozil starts against Utd on Friday.
My question to Ozil fans is, how many more final changes does he get?
#factsoverfeelings
Chances not changes. Blooming predicted text.
i’m a big ozil flag waver – however, he needs to be fair. He needs to look at Capt Kos’ contribution a player on much less who is still able to play his heart out for the team. Ozil should be chomping at the bit, busting his gut, popping veins and working tirelessly for the arsenal shirt;
@Admin: I don’t go along with treating a world-class player with kid gloves stuff either. The very fact a player is widely considered WC ought to suggest they can distinguish themselves by playing well regardless of their circumstances or the match conditions they face.
By comparison Bergkamp upon his arrival could have looked around and sulked and complained at calibre of players, the pitch or the strong-arm tactics he had to face, he never. He showed his class and delivered time and time again and he was not in receipt of a salary to compare with Ozil’s.
…..
And waal2waal, Dennis Bergkamp, for most of his career, was not the highest paid player at Arsenal.
One of my favorite recollections is the “great” Stuart Pearce stating that Dennis Bergkamp would be a high priced flop at Arsenal after his transfer from Inter Milan. We all know how that worked out!
OT I thought the warm welcome Giroud received from the fans was spot on! To hear the whole stadium singing his name when he came on was class!! ???
Reckon big Oli will always love Arsenal ?
He’s a Gooner for sure.
I am no big Ozil fan, however, I find the treatment of Ozil disgusting, after all he’s only human. He didn’t force the club to pay him that amount. All players want the best they could get. He may not be the most hardworking player but are you telling me hes had less impact than Xhaka. Yet one starts no matter what the previous performance was. Its clearly about money at the club yet some do not see it, force Ramsey out of the club due to his wage demands then play him before ozil ? tell me thats not about money.
we are half way down a very slippery slope guys
PEA will be 30 soon and coming to an end of his career. IMO Lacca is the better player, but after those two what other player can we call WC
Come on out of that, if you are too strong on him, you forget he needs care and love. He’s a grown man and all that is happening is he isn’t playing. Has it not occurred to you that his performances related fees could be why he isn’t playing, all the bonus type stuff on top of an already large wage. I don’t know if that’s the case, but there’s that and there is the energy type performance Emery wants esp from forwards. It’s in Ozil’s hands, all he has to do is try much harder and to make a difference as much as he possibly can. It will be enough or it won’t be. I just hope we don’t end up in a situation that we have a player who doesn’t want to go because he’s happy on his wage, while not being in the managers plans. Or for it to come to us getting rid but having to pay a large percentage of his wage. He’s better than that, hopefully, if we don’t want him, hopefully he will except a lower wage from another club.
Oh arsene I really admired you but 100million + for Ozil, Mustafis and xhaka is some of the most awful business I’ve ever seen in football. How are these 3 meant to be core players for a club that has title aspirations. I pray that mislintat doesn’t leave and can help rectify this mess because those 3 (dont forget myhkitarian) are stealing wages. Reports are stating that all this “extra work” Ozil is putting is actually the same work iwobi and the rest have been putting in all season. Ozil is only just joining the party. If aubemyang (a poacher by trade) can sprint all over the pitch And fight for the badge than I don’t understand why Ozil should be allowed to play so lethargicly. He cant hide behind his age as a factor cause Auba is the same age and he’s changed and adapted to the new style.
Malik, can you direct me to the “reports are stating that all this extra work Ozil is putting in is actually the same work Iwobi and the rest have been putting in all season” please?
Please name the media or club quote, as this statement has passed me by completely.
I also find it very interesting that you have to mention Iwobi…why not say “the rest of the team”?
Underlying cause for that little detail speaks volumes to your ulterior motive I suspect.
Also, when has Ozil ever mentioned his age as a factor?
Looking forward to your sources being revealed.
Yes ken I also saw the iwobi bit you picked up on but the big argument I’ve just had on the last article with half the fan base I thought best not say anything .
oh dear, i think it is becoming clear on here that nobody should dare call ozil out. just the very same as the time when the previous manager was called out .. lots of people on here sulking at the very thought.ozil is crap, he has not done a thing in the past couple of seasons to be a first team player. and before some chaps lose their rag , i would remind them that we are all entitled to our opinions on here, well thats the theory anyways !i believe that one or two boyos on here should clearly consider retirement, whats best for our club is the question as far as i am concerned. and, in my own opinion, i would suggest that mr.ozil is surplus to requirements, despite what some senior commentators on here would say.seniority does not always neccessarily bring wisdom to the table.
He’s talking about Orstein, he said he’s been made aware of it somehow. Can’t remember exactly what he said, but it is in an article on this site from a couple or so days back. The routine was put forward, and it’s supposed to be very intensive work, and Ozil is only now supposed to be on board with it.
@Malik, how quickly people tend to forget. Just a few years ago, we were branded “trophyless”. We carried that monkey on our backs for almost a decade, until a certain Ozil signed for the club. His presence boosted the team and his assists made even Giroud look like a much better striker. Now, we compare him with Mustafi and Xhaka and claim he’s the worst bit of business. That’s quite harsh. Signing Ozil wasn’t the worst bit of business, but increasing his wages astronomically is the bad part. From what I read recently, that decision was taken by the triumvate of Gazidis, Sven and Raul.
They put us in this tight corner, but I won’t forget that many fans didn’t want us to lose both Alexis and Ozil and they kept on saying, “give him what he wants”. Emery has to find a way to make good use of Ozil. He has said he’s not leaving Arsenal, so if he’s working hard in training now, let’s see it reflect on the field of play. Give him a chance!
Namo, I agree; the issue is Gazidis sanctioning Ozil’s upgraded contract extension. The percentage increase was ridiculous and together with Mhikataryan, took up too much of Arsenal’s wages allowance.
Unfortunately Ozil has been given chances, but his season has been disrupted by injury and when played he has not providrd what Emery wants. It is up to Ozil to show at training that he deserves to play.
Why is ozil all of sudden getting roasted by fans ? He’s the same player we signed 5 years ago ,why this sudden witch hunt all because we have a new manager .
It’s not his fault the club offered him that money ,what’s he going to do turn it down ,this is the kind of money big clubs pay their best players ,I thought we was a big club.
It’s relentless Dan…. does my head in!!
Unfortunately Dan and Sue, Ozil has not been the player Arsenal signed 5 years ago. He has not been reliably able to be selected due to injury disrupting his season and when selected has been inconsistent in performance.
Emery is paid to coach the team and it is up to Ozil to prove to Emery by commitment to training and willingness to accept Emery’s playing instructions, that he should be selected.
At his best, Ozil is too good a player to be on the bench; Ozil just needs to show Emery his best.
If Ozil is from UK
(like for exmpl ramsey who needed to sign for Juventus to finally hold on a player (jorginio) and keep the formation for the whole 60 min)
he would be praised as a god at Arsenal whatever his current form.
Thats hypocritically from the fans but this is how it is… Brexit is still on! Enjoy!
Rubbish!
Darren’s article is precisely WHY I am certain that Ozil WILL be leaving next summer. Some of you may even know that Ken 1945 and I have had a bet about it happening or not, with the winnings going to Bob Wilson’s Willow Foundation. To me it is plain that Emery will not put up with what he and some on here, myself more than almost any other, see as total lack of character and unwillingness to fight hard all the time. The talent is evident but is also virtually useless unless, which he refuses to do, he properly applies himself. He does not, so he will go, even though it might well entail Arsenal continuing to pay a portion of his obscene salary to his new club. The constant excuses for him some on here make, I find intensely depressing. LACK OF SELF HONESTY ALWAYS DOES THIS TO ME, so I do not do it, personally.
Next summer?? i need him gone this january!!
We need to loan in Denis suarez, Gelson martin, Brahimi and CB we will be just fine and Auba and Laca will look like their from different planet. i am for Arsenal all day i dont care about individual players.
To all Ozil fans
your god is a liability..
if he can work hard like Lacazette, Emery will recall him…
They must find a way to get rid of him, if is not ready to work hard….
No big team can tolerate Ozil
All top teams want players who are ready to run their socks off, not a lazy spoilt kid like Ozil…
A realist! Hurray!
?????
Ozil will come good. I hope his extra work help him to step up the gas.
Very rarely will you see him make a sliding tackle, you can hardly see him defending cornerkicks, freekicks and also press the DM of the opposing teams. Too soft for the mordern day football. To negate these lacks, his vision and play-dictate is like honey in the mouth of a new born.
I dont want him gone, he’s got some good years in him on-pitch. His brain is still needed for the younger ones to learn from.
The only way he will come good is when you do huge surgery to his body and help change his personality /body language and he needs to soon so he can free up his weekly wage to another 3 players to come in ang help arsenal
Ozil has always polarised opinion in Germany, Spain and since he moved to the Premier League.At his best he is a joy to watch with ball playing skills few on the planet can match.However his languid style flies in the face of today’s high pressing systems which are currently flavour of the month in the top European leagues..If Emery can manage to get Ozil to buy into his philosophy which is based on hard work,high energy and determination, this will be one of the greatest achievements of his Managerial career.Will it happen? I very much doubt it and I don’t believe Ozil will take a cut in wages to move elsewhere.in fact we could be well discussing this same subject this time next year.
Maybe someone can say I am to serious now, and not true, but I will say that Ozil had problems before cos he is not a etnical german and now cos he is not british. In Real had nothing to do with nationality but with stupid Real uber alles thinking.
For exmpl Miller had lot s of bad moments playing for Germany but never been attacked for it. Ozil was not that lucky. In Arsenal Wenger’s boy Ramsey needed to presign for Juventus to finally hold to
player (Jorginio) and keep a formation fot the while 60 min. In 10 years at Arsenal that never happened before.
Ozil forever!
Wenger is out, Ramsey mercenary soon to follow!
I care less about what ozil earns as long as its silent Stan’s cash,may be the other players should demand more during their contract negotiations for that Stan’s cash to be put to work
You guys forget when we smashed United a few seasons ago ozil was the main man. You forget when we smashed Chelsea, ozil was the main man you forget when we smashed Spurs this season ozil was creator. This man played a part in whatever little positives we had in the past few seasons but now it looks like he is being treated like garbage. Being trown out the club. Karma is a bitch that will bite this club back. He has not been at his best but it’s not his fault that we have shit defence. Stop hating on players who wear our Jersey and start hating on the decisions made by the so called higher archy. Everyone is entitled to their own opinion but on these blogs ppl talk shite and these same people were singing we got ozil mesut ozil. Now all the hate. It’s amazing how people change.
It’s vey much clear that emery wants ozil out. Although he defends his action as his way to get the best of ozil, I feel it’s more like deliberate humiliation as he clearly doesn’t want to give a chance anymore. Well, it’s his call anyway. Just hoping that when he put ozil on the bench, it’s not as his backup trick to shift the blame on ozil when the team lost. Unused sub when the team is more likely to win as in the game against spurs and chelsea, but play him when the team desperately needs to score as against southampton. If he plays well and helps the team to score, win or draw, the coach will be hailed as a genius. But, fail to make impact, let alone make mistake, the blame will be on ozil. Hopefully it’s just my negative thought. But we’ll see next games with ozil on the bench.