Last week, Mesut Ozil admitted that he’s working to improve his body language recognising that displays of frustration on the pitch don’t help his teammates or go down well with the fans.
“My goal is to make sure my body language is right,” he told BT Sport. “When I make a mistake I get annoyed and you can tell from my body language. But these days I try to make sure I don’t do that anymore, because in football you can make mistakes and play a bad pass.”
He continued: “It’s more for the fans, the people who watch the games because they might think I’m not fighting anymore.”
It’s fair to say that Ozil doesn’t exactly exude Terry Butcher levels of ‘fighting spirit’ but likewise criticism of his louche style is often a tad over the top. All the same, Arsene Wenger believes that his playmaker can make further adjustments to his body language in the coming years.
Speaking to Arsenal.com ahead of Sunday’s clash with Crystal Palace, the boss reflected:
“He [Ozil] was perceived to be a bit nonchalant, or a bit ‘who cares?’”
“That’s not his mind. Your body language is produced by the whole childhood and the way you have behaved until your 20s.
“To show that you can fight, being a champion is a combination of exceptional talent but an exceptional attitude as well, certainly now more than ever before.
“He has added that to his game but I think there is still some way to go. I think he can still improve on that front and it will only make him better and stronger.
“He’s at an age where you realise that time passes. After 25, the accelerator is there. The next step is 30 and that always creates a little shock and urgency in the minds of players.”
Arseblog News fully expects Ozil to take to the pitch today with a Joker-esque smile daubed on his face and a couple of foam hands given to him by Mathieu Flamini to improve his pointing.
Can’t they all?
My main gripe with Ozil is his lack of urgency to rectify a mistake of his making. However, he’s an intelligent guy and I’m glad he’s taking steps to improve on his already massive talent.
I’ve never bought into the idea that Ozil’s languid body language was evidence of a lack of commitment. That said, he’s a playmaker, one of the greatest in the game. But he’s not Vieira, he shouldn’t be expected to drive the team on physically when that’s what’s required. Nor should he abandon all defensive duties either, but his attacking prowess should be complimented with a more battle-hardened central midfield duo imo.
You’re absolutely spot on. It would also be in line for the manager to recognise his own failings and weaknesses every once in a while
This is the only excuse people have to try say he’s not one of the best players in the world. His interception stats are actually pretty good, His work rate is also up there but he hardly jumps for headers…He seems to accept being physically muscled off the ball. Take Carzola, this guy is not even as physically impressive in size but he chases down and puts his foot in, he doesn’t give up! This guy is a world class player..He plays in his own dimension with his own purist football ideals. Give him the ball he is magic and… Read more »
Özil, giving up? Oh, i wish all the Arsenal players would give up as he did. Maybe this season wouldn’t be so pathetic.
Good comparison, also because Cazorla was our 10 when özil was signed. I have to say, I don’t think there is a need for much change. His body language will be of no interest if a striker puts away the chances he creates. How long has walcott had to play with him (bollocks to injuries, please no one trot out that BS that walcott would have set the world alight with özil if only he was fit)? I remember that early game (we had the yellow t-shirts) when he played. Özil put him through, one on one. Yes, you guessed… Read more »
I think there’s no doubt that Özil works extremely hard but what gets on my nerves is when he goes into 50/50 challenges very half-haertedly. A great example of that was in the build-up to one of the goals we conceded against WBA (the game Coquelin got injured in), where the WBA player gets past him because he sort of goes in but doesn’t really commit. Either go all in or just keep your position and don’t let the opposition get past you. Apart from that, I love the guy.
Oh, yes, let’s scratch our heads to find what we can reproach to him this season… Wenger is a shame and should concentrate on other things in his team than Özil’s body language!
And here we go with Özil doesn’t fight… He does but not in the stupid and useless Sanchez’s way… This “body language” topic is stupid. Then what about the body languages of a Messi, Müller, Suarez, Neymar, Vardy, Mahrez… who prefer shouting, diving, faking, complaining, whinning… Nobody reproachs this to them! And this is much more damageable to the fans, the clubs, football… than Mesut’s style.
so whats his body language should look like? a scott parker/wayne rooney/john cuntish terry – typical english – one?
My birthday wish from here on out is to watch him play for Arsenal when he’s 30
“Arseblog News fully expects Ozil to take to the pitch today with a Joker-esque smile daubed on his face and a couple of foam hands given to him by Mathieu Flamini to improve his pointing.”
Ha ha ha. Classic Blogs ☺
Players need to play….. our system create opertunities.
Just now watching Lewandowski terrorize Schalke. Can you imagine how many goals he would score for the Gunners with Ozil feeding him? I know it’s a fantasy but it is a fun fantasy.
Who wouldn’t giveup when you have squanderers as strikers? If you don’t want Ozil, sell him & buy Fellani the fighter, aka elbowster.
Özil should show some fight. Everyone else, manager included, should sit on their arses while the team self destruct game after game…
I don’t care about his body language. But please man jump for a header instead of ducking. Be a man.
don’t talk shit about Ozil
his body language is the leasts of our worries
Now, i love Özil. I cant believe he plays for us. He’s incredible at the football. But. I would love it if he actually tried to head the ball once in a while. Whenever he’s in midfield he basically turns his back on the ball and either lets it bounce or an opposition player is free to jump for it.
I don’t care about all this bs on his body language, lack of commitment or whatever. I wish he would add goals to his game that’s all. That would make him perfect.
Ideally Ozil lack of urgency at times shouldnt matter because of the degree of his quality, problem is we have to many players in the team who dont put their shift in e.g. Alexis Sanchez not tracking back last game which was unforgivable if you wanna know the truth….
Have I just read this???? Couldn’t give a fuck about his body language he’s our best player by a long shot
shut up wenger and buy a fckn striker
This is starting to get ridiculous? We play completely terrible on the weekend and our manager starts to criticize arguably our best player all season. I have always been a fan of Ozil and think that he is genius. I think he has worked hard to pick up the defensive side of his game and his offensive contribution is staggering. I don’t know why everyone goes on about him not putting in the effort. If we had players that could actually put away the chances he creates we wouldn’t be in this situation. Our defending is weak and we let… Read more »
just knew that Wenger has a degree in developmental Psychology too….