The Arsenal and Germany international star Mesut Ozil has been out of action now for 10 weeks, ever since he heard that crack while the Gunners were playing Chelsea at Stamford Bridge and it turned out to be a much bigger problem than anyone first thought (surprise, surprise).
But the club record signing is now back in training and no matter what you think of how well Ozil has performed since signing from Real Madrid last summer, we could really have done with him in the last couple of months. The German had not really started the season well and seemed to be suffering from a World Cup hangover like Per Mertesacker, but he was starting to find his form again and an in form Ozil is a massive boost to any team.
The concern for Arsenal fans, however, is which Ozil we are going to see when he does play again, so the clear enthusiasm of the German to get back on the pitch is just as good news as his return to fitness. The 26-year old says that he has really missed playing over the last 10 weeks and he cannot wait to be able to kick a ball in anger once more.
Ozil told Arsenal Player, “After a time, you really miss playing football. You miss the ball and just want to play. When you watch the games and think that you could have been playing, and playing well, it makes you miss it. But that’s the way things are.
“I’m working every day to get myself fit and I’m on the right path now. It won’t be much too much longer before I’m back on the pitch. I hope to be back training with the whole team again as soon as possible.
“When you watch the games, we’ve dominated a lot of them but have conceded unnecessary goals. That can’t happen, because in the Premier League, every team is capable of beating one another.
“We have to get our points by playing the game our way… I’m convinced that we will finish the season near the top of the table.”
As long as Ozil is not so keen to play again that he suffers a setback, his desire to get back in an Arsenal shirt can only be good. With him firing on all cylinders and with the likes of Alexis, Giroud and Ramsey hitting top form, Arsenal could be a match for anyone as long as we sort out those defensive problems he alluded to. Over to you and the transfer market Arsene….