After Arsenal’s 2-0 win over Leicester City in the Carabao Cup last night, there was a lot of focus in the post-match press conference about the continued absence of Mesut Ozil.
Mikel Arteta at first tried to play it down, but repeated questions led to him addressing issue. Here’s how it happened in question and answer format – questioners are in different colours to illustrate it was more than one reporter.
Can I ask about Mesut Ozil? I know this is a topic you’re probably getting quite tired of discussing but once more he was not in the match-day squad. What does he have to prove to you to get back into contention?
I am really happy with the performance of the players here, how difficult they are making things for the coaching staff to select the squad.
Just again on Mesut, I know you don’t like answering questions, but as a player who started every Premier League game under you before lockdown but since then hasn’t kicked a ball for the club, just what has changed?
The team is evolving and you can see the level they are achieving, so this is where we are at at the moment. We want to evolve more, play better and compete better, so we need to keep maintaining that trend.
You just believe other players are better suited to the way you’re playing?
Well, we are picking the players that we believe are the best for each game and as you can see, we keep changing, so this is what we are trying to do.
Sorry to go back to Mesut again, but you said the team’s evolving, do you mean the team is evolving in a way which doesn’t include Mesut? That you’re moving away from that era?
You can see that the players that we are changing and using every week, that it is very difficult – not just for Mesut but the rest of the players – for some to make the squad. Every week, we try to pick the right players.
I understand that, but there were loads of changes today, it’s a Carabao Cup game. If Mesut’s not going to be involved in this one then it’s tough to see him being involved again for the final year of his contract, isn’t it?
It is difficult for others as well who weren’t involved in the Premier League and they didn’t play tonight either. We have a squad of 26, 27 players at the moment and we cannot give all of them playing time.
Can you understand why every time he’s not in the squad, fans are so confused by situation … can you understand that?
Of course I understand, I respect your questions guys but I have to try to do my job as fair as possible and pick the players that, in my opinion, are in a better condition to play.
—
Ozil wasn’t the only absentee last night, with no room for either Matteo Guendouzi or Lucas Torreira, but as the club’s highest paid player and still a big star, his situation is the one which is always going to be in focus.
Is he still the highest paid player ? i thought auba eclipsed him or was 250k a week rumor true ? Anyways ozil needs to move asap. Ac milan and gazidis should do us a favor by getting him on half shared loan or something like bale has with spurs.
Ozil is on £300k plus a week.
It’s £350,000 a week, isn’t it? That’s over £18 million a season (not paid for 52 weeks a year). So that’s even worse, financially, for the club. I think Auba is on less then than despite the recent uplift. One big difference, he’s worth it, Ozil clearly now I think, simply isn’t.
So he was worth it prior to lockdown and played all of Artetas games, now obviously the board(c**Ts) want him out and thus have instructed Arteta not to play him—- (must be difficult when you have played alongside a guy whom you know is a 10x better footballer than you ever were) Anyhow for the sake of the board and their bent egos, i hope ozil stays and is unused throughout the next 3 months and then signs a massive sign on contract with his new club(for the summer) in January he will definitely have the last laugh between himself… Read more »
I’ll rather have Arteta’s dedication and professionalism over Ozil’s quality any day of the week.
I am annoyed by both sides. Arteta should stop repeating these hollow phrases. Ozil needs to stop thinking he deserves 350K for two good passes in games.
What do you expect from him?
He’s having – through no choice of his own – to cover up for Kroenke’s appalling behaviour.
Your annoyance is with the media then – stop asking him the same fucking questions, knowing what the answer will be.
It wasn’t Arteta’s decision to drop Ozil from the squad. It was the board’s.
The thing is if you look at how Arteta has helped players either develop or regain form and consider his everyone gets a clean slate approach, then either Ozil has either completely lost the ability to play or he just doesn’t give a f#ck anymore. Either way we’re stuck with him now, but if we’re really at the stage where he can’t make any sort of contribution to the team, then it’s hard not to see the blame lying with him.
How can he make a contribution when he’s not getting picked…?! ?
I think it’s not quite as black and white as many of us try to make it. There clearly is something to the fact that Ozil did not accept the pay cut as he was playing every game before lock down and Arteta had him motivated to even do the hard work of running and pressing and getting back. Then after restart he was nowhere near the team and probably is no longer motivated. Additionally, Arteta likely accepts the fact that the teams future lies away from Ozil and the creativity he brings, so he may as well accept that… Read more »
Also, we forget that Ozils currently salary is all down to Gazidis and the board allowing his contract to run down. Thus the potential transfer fee we would have had to spend to replace his input, which back then was massive, was layered into his salary. Thus saving the club a massive upfront outlay, but pushing much of the cost into weekly installments to Ozil. That is why we cannot afford to let any player run their contract down to under 1 year. If they don’t sign by then, they must be sold. Regardless of the impact performance wise initially,… Read more »
Top post, well said.
Ignore the thumbs down, they don’t know what day of the week it is, never mind recognise a quality player.
Well said. The board have treated the player appallingly. It was their decision to ban him, because he questioned Kroenke’s pay cuts.
And certain people are still too dumb to see it for what it is and get it into their heads once and for all. Neither the player or Arteta are to blame here.
You can bash Ozil all you want, but he is s quality player. He just doesn’t fit into our system. Ozil is a luxury player designed to play for a team that has 70% posseion. For a team like that he will do great. Also not his fault that we panicked and paid him 350k.
In Arteta I trust.
May be all torreira, Ozil and guendouzi may be way out.
If we could get around £40m for Torreira and Guendouzi (combined) and get Ozil off our books, this might just be the best transfer window we’ve had in a long time.
With interest in Papa, Chambers and Mustafi too, we could have seriously streamlined this squad by October.
There you go again with that big (little) word “if”! Don’t you think Arsenal have tried everything to get Ozil out the door for several seasons now? Ask yourself who will pay £18 million, as it’s clearly down to money, and what will they get for it? Guendouzi has, supposedly put in a transfer request. As we couldn’t shift him before he did, I’m not sure of the chances now he has, but we live in hope. You’re talking a few £million as a fee in any case. Any Torreira deal seems to have gone quiet although the most likely… Read more »
Ok, so firstly Ozil. I don’t think we’ve ever put out such a strong message that he is no longer part of this football team. Emery used him in the cup games and the window was shut before Ozil realised he was entirely frozen out. If Mesut has even an ounce of competitive spirit left in him, I still believe his head could be turned by a club willing to pay, say, half of his wages. We can then save ourselves £10m and get him off our books. I still believe there is a market for Guendouzi and Torreira. The… Read more »
Sorry but “Cheering up” won’t shift players any quicker than say we should just sell them (as some Gooners do on this site). These are business transactions. I doubt you’ve run a business if you think that smiling beats sales. The buyers must want the players and believe they will be good value for them (not for us). What is the evidence (not hope, expectation, believing) that Ozil is going to change his mind? There’s a market for Torreira but, according to reports, the most likely option still remains a move to AM on player + cash terms. We still… Read more »
I love how fans think they actually know what’s going on by checking the bbc gossip column once a day. Look at the Pepe deal, that went completely undetected. To assume you know the levels of interest in players with such certainty is rather humorous. Ok, so maybe the Ozil sale is wish fulfilment on my behalf. It does seem a little odd to assume that a sportsman wouldn’t want to, I dunno, play sports but that’s Mesut for you. He’d rather make a point than actually kick a ball these days. But let me ask you this. Where can… Read more »
Well said, J4H.
People are all too keen to shift on AMN or Bellerin or Lacazette, until you start grilling them about cheaper and better replacements for said player.
Then they go quiet.
All this sets a precedent, and precedents seem to be very important under Arteta. Ainsley Maitland-Niles being out of the team and fighting his way back in set a precedent. Matteo Guendouzi’s removal from the squad was a precedent. Persisting with Mustafi (just after the lockdown) in spite of his on-field mistakes, till he gained confidence was a precedent which said that Arteta will trust you if you pay him back by abiding with his non-negotiables. Freezing Ozil out – doesn’t matter if it is over the money issue or the effort issue – is more of the same. A… Read more »
Come on Biggles. Cheer up son. Could be worse – I’ve had the Anti Ozil Crèche calling me every name under the sun today! ?
We beat Leicester with 5 academy graduates & it’s all about Ozil. AARRGGHH.
I hope they don’t register him this season so we can stop taking about him.
These reporters must be in a habit of watching the same movie every night and find some excitement in it
Step 1: go to a press conference
Step 2: listen to your colleagues ask the same question in 15 different ways
Step 3: start your question with “I know you don’t like answering questions” and ask the same question from step 2
Step 4: lean back and enjoy listening to your other colleagues ask the same question another 15 times
Step 5: wait until next game to repeat process
Step 4A: Have any Arsenal/premier league related site write an article on it, or be accused of not writing about an Arsenal related topic. Step 4B: Many Arsenal fans (and fans of other clubs who want a laugh) click on the article, many comment on it, fueling the number of clicks. Step 4C: More clicks=more advertisers interested in said site. Which is a good thing for any site. Step 4D: Due to advertising, people buy more products and therefore generate higher revenue for companies who do not give two fucks what the article was actually about. (Step 4E: Maybe sponsor… Read more »
Or maybe they’re just doing their job?
I think we should register him.
One year is a lot and we should have the possibility to use him. just in case
We’ll still have to pay him his £18 million though – what could we do with that money I wonder?
Finance Erdogan’s Turkey
Just close your eyes and dream of May, Biggles.
The best creative midfielder this club has will soon be gone.
This is absolutely ridiculous and disgraceful. The club for once are acting without class, they gave him a contract, it was stupid to do so, but woman/man up and acknowledge this and say the truth. For the fans, Ozil can take a hike for all I care at this point.
How well did Arteta answer those questions too. Talked about the whole team and kept the gossip and his decisions internal. Class leader!
I think you are right. What a shame to see a player decline to quickly. While there was no football, the archive footage showed what a good player he used to be.
A little something for you Karl. It was actually from last season. ?
https://youtu.be/ZHxFXQ3zQ0M
Little flashes show what he used to be in a carefully coiffured video and it is good to watch. Sadly they didn’t add up to anything substantial. Look back 4 to 5 years and see what he used to be with assists and goals too.
Little flashes? ?
If either Willian or Ceballos or Willock did a fraction of the stuff on that video we wouldn’t be trying to sign Aouar.
He’s our best creative midfielder and an established international. Of course his absence from even a second string League Cup team is going to raise questions.
Or doesn’t any of that fit in with your anti Ozil agenda? If not, tough.
Well, at least one thing is clear. Guendouzi and Ozil are not playing again for the club.
He is a bad example for the younger players with his attitude. David Luiz is not a great player but Arteta loves his attitude.
Claudio Ranieri said to his players when Leicester won the league “I don’t get mad at the score, I get mad if you don’t show the right attitude”.
Ignore the scum press as they try to engineer a perceived crisis out of what is a success.
Ozil is the proverbial fart in the spacesuit, the modern day Winston Bogarde. Let’s move on.
Yes, talk about berating someone on a line of questioning. This was ridiculous. “Objection your honour!! Leading the witness!!”
That Journo did not want to give up until Arteta said something like “Mesut hasn’t been training hard enough / Mesut isn’t committed / Mesut isn’t good enough anymore”
Impressive from Arteta to keep so calm and level. He’s quite the manager in all facets!! Some managers are great at tactics, some at player management, some at dealing with the media – Arteta seems to be excelling at them all!
I just don’t agree. Ozil is/was a quality player and is paid a fortune. He never plays. It is legitimate to ask why. It is legitimate to ask if the reason is football-related or not. I like Arteta and am, like a lot of people here, much more optimistic about Arsenal, in large part because of him. But I still would like to understand, in the broadest terms, why Ozil never plays.
What are you going to tell your grandkids when you’re boring them about the good old days and you get to Ozil? “He was something different, not spectacular but he looked like a grown up joining in a kids match and quietly running the show” or “a fart in a spacesuit”?
I doubt he will figure. I’ll stick to the legends like George, Brady, Rocastle , Wright. How about you?
Haha! Nice one, Pete! Brilliant! ??
Özil is finished at the top level and has been for a couple of years. I’m not sure whether it’s a physical or mental thing with him, but that much is clear. The problem is his wages. The club would obviously love to move him on, but no other club is going to pay him what we’re paying him. I’ve heard he wants to play in Turkey before he ends his career, so is probably waiting for the Bosman to do that. Why he can’t even make the League Cup as a body is a mystery. Perhaps his attitude is… Read more »
The lad lost all interest in football after the Germany thing. He has a good pr team around him acting like he wants to play. I’m not believing that shit and I don’t think many do but he has a contract and there is nothing anyone can do to move him on unless he wants it himself.
Boateng and Müller were thrown out of the german national team, too.
Their reaction was to show some pride and perform on a level that makes Löw look like an idiot to do that. They’ve won the CL as starters. That’s the difference between top professionals and players with top talent but poor mentality.
Good luck winning the CL with our team. We cannot even seem to qualify.
Rolling my eyes at the reporter claiming ‘fans are so confused by the situation’ in the last question
The majority of us know exactly why. And approve
Exactly.
I’m not confused as to why he’s not bring picked. I’d only be confused if he was picked, played well and was dropped again. I definitely trust arteta’s judgement on this one
Well Emery didn’t pick him much either. The common theme? Mr Ozil and his attitude.
Really? Explain it to me, because I genuinely do not know. Not training well or refusing to train? (No leaked rumours of that, let alone evidence.) Just not good enough or totally unsuited to Arteta’s system? (That seems absurd, especially in a League Cup game, and especially since he played regularly under Arteta before the lockdown.) The refusal to take a pay cut? If that is the reason (even if were legitimate to punish a player for that), then Arsenal are cutting off our nose to spite our face, since we are paying him his full salary not to play.… Read more »
I hope someone tries to answer you as I have the same questions.
Mesut SnoOzil stories are so boring, he needs to go just so we don’t have to listen to this tripe!!!
Yep.
And I won’t have to read the hatred for him on this page – and the idiots making him a scapegoat for their ever growing crime sheet will have to find someone else.
Roll on next May.
This topic is as much a dead horse as the player himself! I really don’t think most Arsenal fans are confused when he doesn’t make the squad. Best for all concerned if he just negotiates a way to end his contract now and leaves
Was expecting to see Ozil at least on the bench…but I guess Arteta knows best and besides we won?
I dont buy this. Despite winning our opening league games, we created very little against an average West Ham team. Is Arteta telling us that Ozil, who is a creator couldn’t have helped? He might be saying the players are evolving, but our creating chances from midfield is still a poor hangover from Emery. We need better players than a limited Xhaka, AMN, Willock and Elneny. Even Ceballos, despite improving doesnt create or score many over the course of a season. If Ozil cant get a break in our midfield/attacking midfield it means Arteta wants him out. There may have… Read more »
His ever more diminishing returns over the years mean he doesn’t deserve a go. He’s had plenty if chances. Quite happy for him and his well oiled machine of a PR and media circus to jog on.
Gone are the days of Ozil aiming at 10 goals a season and breaking records for numbers of assists. I don’t believe that Arteta would be leaving him out of the squad if he felt that he could reliably contribute something, therefore I agree that we should be giving others a chance.
to be fair ozil played for arteta in his early managerial days and we still struggled to create chances.
Özil created more chances last season than any other player in the squad, except Pepe.
Saka seemed to do pretty well with 11 assists (and four goals on top of that). Did Ozil get anywhere close?
Saka is not a midfielder. And yes, Saka is a better player.
yeah he played wing-back for a lot of it
Well said.And people vote this fact down for no other reason than blind hate.
Pathetic.
Of course if you blindly love Ozil, any other opinion would appear to be blind hate.
Since you are caught up in this circular thinking, my comment would also appear to be blind hate for Ozil and not just me thinking you’re daft.
I bet if someone accidently bumps in to you on the street, they must wonder why you start screaming at them about hating Ozil (not to mention that table you stubbed your toe on, Ozil hating fucking table).
I’m sick to death of hearing statements like this “Despite winning our opening league games, we created very little against an average X team” Since when did we start looking down on actually winning games? would you prefer we go back to the days of fluid football where we score 3 goals, but we all had our hearts in mouth cos the team did not have a proper structure/discipline, and we could concede at any time? Cos if I remember correctly, those days didn’t really take us anywhere, and we were all frustrated asking for more structure and better commitment… Read more »
Fluid football was the whole reason I started supporting Arsenal.
He doesn’t tackle or chase, his assists have dried up and he’s never been a goal machine. What function could he have?
And you’re trying to tell me it’s not hate…?
?
Look. The team is on a winning streak against the top PL teams. Why are u so negative?
Twisting the argument yet again!
I’m actually quite pleased with how the team are doing – but our creativity in midfield is non existent and if you knew anything at all about the game, you’d understand why Ozil’s omission is so ridiculous.
Hey, we were on a pretty good unbeaten spell under Emery even though we knew it was too good to last.
Not hate. Common sense.
Really? Omitting our best creative midfielder when the rest of the creative midfield is serving up shite is common sense…? ?
Our best creative midfielder who seldom creates and is more often than not off Tom and dick with a bad back. No, I’m happy with common sense, thanks.
And midfield reliant on the ‘creativity’ of Willian, Willock and Ceballos to get us into the top four……
you don’t seem to have it though.
I think we have different definitions of hate then. Which is fine, life is all about opinions.
This is the sort of answer that really annoys me. Are you genuinely saying that there is no match, even a League Cup match, where we would not be a better side with Ozil? Not even with Ozil on the bench as a substitute? You honestly believe that?
On current form, yes I believe it. As does Arteta.
The problem with Ozil is that modern football has left him behind. There’s no doubt that he has certain moments during the game where he can turn the game around, but ever since he signed that bumper contract, those moments have been few and far between, and without them he’s hardly useful. Defensively, he does put in the yards, but it doesn’t amount to anything useful.
Another lame myth gets rolled out for the billionth time. “Ever since he signed the contract……”
Here’s a dose of reality. Since his omission from the squad, our midfield has been a fucking joke.
Here’s a dose of reality: your cynicism is beyond tiresome, and your attempts to turn anything you say into absolute truth while looking down on your fellow Gooners makes you look more like a troll than a well-informed fan.
Brilliantly said Pepe.
And I couldn’t give a shit what you think either.
Here’s another dose of reality.
I couldn’t give a shit what you think.
don’t cry dude.
*exit stage left with a pout and a flounce…,*
All the Ozil vs Board or Ozil vs Arteta discussion is secondary, what matters most is we have creativity problem in CAM area. And if Arteta feels Ozil is not up to the speed to solve it then he must either be hell bent on signing a CAM(Aour et all) with board backing it or be grooming/improving ESR , Nelson within next few weeks to be Premier league quality week in week out. Lads giving one off performance in Carabao cup is fine. But to regain champions league places atleast current approach won’t work. If Arteta feels he can’t do… Read more »
Get a new name, my friend. The internet is too small for two of us, and I have been lurking for a bit. *Twirls handlebar moustache ominously*.
Good Ebening.
Is there any way to block someone in this site? Never have i seen u post a positive comment. U sound more like a S**rs fan. Jeez
Are these honestly the best questions these ‘professionals’ can come up with week after week. They’re more interested in the soap opera than what is happening on the pitch. They must be the most irritating people to hang around with.
Just sell Mesut already. We are not Real Madrid to disgrace a player like that.
We provided him the contract and I think we have got to pay whatever money it takes to let him go.
sell him to who?
Everton?
james
West Ham will buy anything
Qualitee
Yeah? You can have Joe Willock ?
….and once again, que the Qzil hate.
Boring. Fucking boring.
It’s not hate. It’s just a non issue, period. He is no longer good enough to be in the squad. We can’t sell him because he has a contract. But I agree it is boring. Fortunately it all ends next summer.
lol, yes willock is better
Joe Willock better than Mesut Ozil…?
????????????????????
You’re an Arsenal supporter???????????????????
More useful, certainly.
For what? Cutting the half time oranges?
Perhaps turning up and not claiming he needs more time off to promote his non brand by manipulating the weak minded.
Willock does not play same role. in back 3, he plays more of b2b which Ozil can’t play. Ozil can only be used as RW in current system and we already have Willian and Auba there.
We’re also not playing Willock entirely because of his current ability, but also to foster his potential that is greater than Ozil’s current ability. Which is apparently minimal for whatever reason.
One more time: you honestly believe that there is no match, even a League Cup match, where Arsenal would be stronger if he were in the squad? Because that is the question to answer. Not why was he left out of a particular match. Not is he as good as he was, not does he track back enough, not is Smith-Rowe or Willock better. The question is: why is Ozil *never* in the squad? Arsenal–maybe not Arteta–should answer that question, in a general way, and then we can move on.
….and once again, cue (not que) the Ozil lovers making false claims of ‘hate’.
Boring. Fucking boring.
But you still felt the need to respond.
If the cap fits, Ozil hater.
Read back & count the number of comments you felt the need to respond to & then see if you can figure out how ironic your comment to me is.
Yep. Lost the argument, haven’t you mate? Now resorting to childish tit-for-tat.
Come back to me when you can argue a point with some informed intelligence or provide evidence as to why Mesut Ozil is worse than our current excuse for a creative midfield.
spud fan.
Please read the comment policy.
https://arseblog.news/comment-policy/
How does MA want a player who hasn’t played one competitive game in 6 months to be competitive??? Play him, make him feel important as he is! Last time he’s played, he put the goal on a plate for Laca! And he is our best creative player by far!
But then if all is fine, Arsenal need no more signing and can spare money to hire again the 55 sacked ones.
I completely support Ozil’s exclusion. He can still make the bench somehow and he knows exactly how he can do that too.
But for all the people downvoting the above, you’d be insane to deny that Mesut is our best creative player
Saka was our most creative player…maybe alongside Pepe. Mesut can create but he can’t play in the system Arteta wants to play…simple.
How do you know that?
….was
You must like history books, I guess.
You must like the team finishing 8th, losing to Brighton, Villa and the Spuds – and playing with all the midfield creativity of a fucking pub side.
Yes one assist in 10 games. And why is he important? anything special?
Why is our current attacking midfield – minus Ozil – more important? Anything special?
More important than Ozil? If for no other reason, because they will (or at least might) be here past June 2021. Will you disappear with Mesut next summer??
No. Sorry. Been a part of the furniture since 1971. I’m not disappearing for anyone – least of all you. ?
The last question though. What makes that reporter think he’s speaking for the fans? I like Ozil but I moved on personally. He intends to see it out, the club wants him gone and won’t play him and much as I like him I want him gone too and as soon as possible so the club can be in better shape.
As for the reporters, this is not the last time you ask such questions and the last Mikel gives you a non related answer.
This is where we find out that reporter was gunnerblog :-p
Well, I’ve moved on too, in the sense that I think there will be no resolution until Ozil’s contract expires. But yes, I would really like to know what this is about. I think the reporter was quite right to say that fans are confused.
*cue
Are you Özil’s agent or something??
No. I’m merely a football fan who knows a good player when he sees one.
You should try it sometime.
No he is ozil. Lol. It seems some fans of Arsenal are Mesut Ozil fans first. Ozil, Arsenal in that order lol
What’s your honest opinion about Ozil mate?…and it’s a genuine question..
My honest opinion is that he is still our best creative midfielder and should at least be making the bench. Without him last season we barely scraped half of the Premiership points in our remaining games and crawled into 8th. At the time of writing, our midfield is still woefully lacking any creativity and vision. Mikel Arteta is clearly being prevented from selecting him due to instructions from the board. Stan and Co didn’t like him having the audacity to question their dodgy pay cut scheme – and the player was quite right to question it, because after assurances were… Read more »
Well said. Confused, questions? Played all the time before the break and not after only because he refused a pay cut? We seem to be trying to buy an attacking/creative midfielder? I have given up on this situation, (as I see him as a defensive liability in a team that has become defense first), but it still is a saga that begs this type of inquires. Journalists are fans also.
Love ur honesty, and I would believe this is what most fans must be thinking. Before the look down we almost turned a drawchester and Arteta was not yet convincing due to that. If you watched the games so critically, Mesut would be a step behind possibly due to fitness. He played all games and post Covid 3months his fitness may have been low. We win titles and boom 1yr left on a contract, a new era being polished in and certainly a new creative spark in the engineering. Bar Arteta n Berellin, Mesut is the senior member of the… Read more »
Nice post. Thanks for your compliments. ?
Feel sorry for Ozil. One of the players in the world to speak out about modern day genocide and shunned by his club for commercial reasons.
I’m not saying that’s the only reason he isnt in the squad but pretty sure that played a part.
Ps; please read about the genocide going on in China.
Please read about his best man’s treatment of Kurds, journalists, and actions in Syria.
Not disputing China is committing genocide of Uighurs, and Tibetans, and Mongols, and is behaving atrociously in Hong Kong…but Ozil chose Erdogan as his best man. Poor choice for a “human rights activist”.
No doubt Özil is a hypocrite when it comes about human rights.
But still, ban a player for political/commercial reasons..that’s just no okay.
It’s not clear that is the reason he got sat down, his attendance prior to speaking out was less than perfect.
If it turns out that is a primary factor I would be absolutely appalled at the club.
If Ozil, Bellerin, Diaby (just three that come to mind) want to use their profiles to speak in their own capacity about issues then all power to them.
There are a lots of players who had a second chance after extremely poor performances. Like D. Luiz, Mustafi and Kola.Still in the sqaud, still in starting 11.
Hard to explain what is the different between them and Özil.
Attitude is the difference mate…not so hard after all ehh?
And how do you know that?
Which part of ‘I am ready’ did you not understand then…?
They didn’t upset Stan. ?
It’s wrong I agree. But reality is, with TV money likely to provide an increasing proportion of income for the foreseeable future, players’ images will become more and more important.
Oh well, that makes it alright to drop him indefinitely then….?
As I said, it is wrong to drop him on that basis. I think it is right to drop him because we have better players than him now.
Such as?
Ceballos? Willian? Willock? ?
That’s fair. But at least he spoke up, unlike so many others. Genocide in China is 10 times worst than what is happening in Syria and we have just had a little information.Not only are they killing, raping and separating families. An IUD is being inserted in every Uighur woman so they can’t give birth. Pregnant women are forcefully aborted.
Not downplaying the situation in Syria, but this is modern day genocide which isn’t hitting the press but our children will be reading about in generation to come.
Indeed. Credit where it is due Ozil spoke up where it would have been easier (and at less commercial expense) not to.
But he should accuse politicians for this not Arsenal or football world. He should start with his friend who has all the power in Turkey. Has Turkey cut all ties with China?
What the fuck has that got to do about whether he makes the team or not?
A smear campaign.
Totally agree, but take a tip, mate – you’re wasting your breath backing Ozil – especially on this page.
Do what I do – sit back, relax and have a fucking good laugh at those who tie themselves up in knots thinking up ever more ways of hating on the guy, whilst simultaneously moaning about the lack of creativity in our midfield. It has me in stitches.
Arsenal fans focus a lot on loving their club so do not actually hate. They also have footballing brains to know the German teams had a point to say Mesut was a weak point for focus when Bayern had to beat Arsenal. On this platform, sitting back to laugh at fellow is something of a privileged clown. And all proper Arsenal fans know our lack of creativity will only be solved with the phasing out of Xhaka predominance of our midfield…….
It’s hilarious how you people take it upon yourselves to speak for all ‘proper’Arsenal fans. ‘Proper’ supposedly being those who hate Mesut Ozil.
Well, you don’t speak for this Arsenal fan. And being a season ticket holder for the last thirty five years, I guess that makes me a ‘proper’ fan.
‘Hate’ I hated our former captain Koscielny taking off a arsenal jersey to reveal his current team jersey.
‘Hate’ I hated how Adebayor celebrated after scoring against us.
‘Mesut hate’?? No mate. Just stop. I dont hate Mesut. I hate u for bringing negativity everytime in this beloved site that i visit every day to meet and chat with other lovely arsenal fans.
Am I bothered that you can’t handle an opinion that differs from your own?
Nah. ?
Surely that’s the whole issue “backing Ozil”. Back the club! I’m an Arsenal supporter not an Ozil supporter.
Like 99% of players Ozil is doing a job and will happily go and do that job elsewhere assuming he is suitably reimbursed. I don’t hate Ozil I just don’t think he is right, productive or any longer viable for my club. He’s had his chances time and again over the last few years and has consistently flattered to deceive.
This is The Arsenal not The Ozil.
Oh but of course. To support Ozil equates to not supporting Arsenal.
Grow up, for fuck’s sake.
You said that not me. I simply said that I support the club over the player. The issue appears to be with fans of Ozil rather than fans of the club…
Also for someone who professes to – sit back, relax and have a fucking good laugh – you seems to be quite wound up; I have no need to grow up, feel free to keep unsolicited advice to yourself.
So why say that you supported the club over the player if you weren’t inferring that I support the player over the club?
You’re talking shit.
I’m not getting in to a you said I said, you inferred, I inferred nonsense with you… weren’t you saying something about growing up?
Anyway I reckon you need a sit down and a cup of tea pal. Looking at your raging at some of the other comments on here I’m seriously concerned for you health.
I’m not raging. As I said earlier, I have a fucking good laugh at the complete lack of football intelligence displayed on here by certain individuals – normally coupled with an inability to conduct a decent discussion without resorting to name calling or childish comments.
And – sorry to break it to you – but ‘being concerned for my state of health’ is another failed wind-up. Nice try.??
Mate I don’t know you from Adam, you just seem to want to aggravate anyone who’s view differs from yours. Look at your replies to multiple comments – swearing, aggressive, implying peoples ignorance etc
At the start of this convo you told me I was “talking shit”. And you then complain that no one can conduct a decent discussion without resorting to name calling or childish comments!
Take a look in the mirror pal.
Ah, yes. Qwaliteee is the only same and smart Arsenal fan on this page. The rest of us are Stan bootlickers. Please listen to Qwaliteee, only he knows.
Sorry mate. Unfortunately, we live in a democracy.
Not the Ozil-hating, Kroenke-loving fascist state a good number of you on here long for.
That means I can air my views about Arsenal Football Club, just the same as you can.
Fortunately for me, my views aren’t the same as yours. ?
You think the average commenter here loves Stan? You’re having a laugh.
Well, perhaps you can explain why so many people take me to task and defend him when I highlight how Kroenke is shafting this club?
Hate is a very strong word. I think it should be reserved for toxic Arsenal fanatics of whom there are not many on this website. I personally just feel this saga is creating an unnecessary shadow that is undermining the positivity Arteta has brought to the team What good is Auba scoring a hat trick if all the press ask are “Where is player X ?” All we can do as supporters is wait until it’s over next year. Also unless Mesut is paying you for positive coverage, I don’t thick you can describe your incessant rebuttals regarding Özil’s as… Read more »
And you lot will have to find someone else to hate.
Ain’t life a bitch.
Create goals for opposition for not tracking back as well. Very creative the guy.
Mesut Ozil is a creative midfielder. It’s not his job to win the ball back – that’s the job of the defensive midfielder.
You don’t know what you’re talking about. You’ll be expecting Aubameyang to save goals next. And Leno to score them.
Do you really watch Arsenal now days? Whether it is Auba, Willian or Laca. They all track back and try to win the ball back. So yes, Ozil also has to do same as he is nothing special.
How can do that when he’s not getting picked?
Ozil made these comments in December 2019. Arsenal distanced themselves from these comments in December 2019. Ozil continued to be a part of the team after these comments were made. He was only dropped after the restart. Yes, it’s an important issue. Yes, it’s not nice that Arsenal distanced themselves from this issue. But why are fans trying to manufacture some sort of conspiracy?
Yeah, sure. The truth is, Özil’s absence has nothing to do with his performance. It’s about the pay-cut refusal (turned out, Mesut was right) and the China-post.
It is clearly not Mikel’s choice not to play him.
If you can‘t present anything to back up a claim, it‘s not truth, it‘s an opinion.
That goes for Arteta too, as he neves says anything specific about what he expects from Özil and what happened during the lock-down.
Mikel has put Mesut in the starting 11 when he arrived in several games. The COVID came, lock-down came and Özil’s pay-cut issue came.
What else could have happened?
Don’t get me wrong. I don’t think Özil should be in the starting lineup. But he definitely should be on the bench, as he clearly has more impact on a game than some youngsters.
But we don’t really know what happened. He might have had a big falling out with team and manager, which might be irreconcilable. Like Guendozi. As I am sure you know, squad harmony is a big factor in sport.
Except, we have all heard rumours and reports, some in detail, about what happened with Guendouzi. None of the reliable journalistic sources–Amy Lawrence, Ornstein, James, have even hinted that there has been any blow-up of this sort involving Ozil.
The same goes for the people who blame Ozil’s non appearance on his apparent laziness – when none of them have been anywhere near the training ground. Or his politics, when none of them are actually members of the Board or Mikel Arteta, who determine the selection of the team.
It works both ways. It’s all opinion.
It’s just that some of us actually choose to base our opinions on known facts, not blind hatred.
Come on, an already luxury player sitting out 3months would break and cost points in those post Covid games. We finished 8th but just 1 draw could have out done us more. Imagine a senior member who does not bind with the club’s agenda……. The most senior member of the club. Quit ur fandom……… Arsenal has had yrs of positive agendas for minority groups; blacks, women, Muslims, health groups, community programs. Don’t let ur Mesut fandom blind your favorite club’s massive unmatched years of efforts.
This! Imagine the highest earner and an extremely well-respected member of the squad not giving 100% on the pitch and still getting picked. Arteta would undermine his whole philosophy and the players would lose faith in it. That would be MUCH worse than losing out on what Ozil is willing to give these days.
Is that why Emery didn’t want to play him? Or Freddy? Face it, Ozil has been in steep decline at least since the contract extension. He played after the China statement, he was in the squad after the pay cut issue, not to mention he wasn’t the only player not to agree to the pay cut. This is about his performance first and foremost. Ozil is done at this level. If he wasn’t, there would be clubs queuing to loan him at a reduced price (see Bale, Gareth). The fact that there aren’t tells you all you need to know.… Read more »
The fishpeople were eaten by the lizardpeople.
The tired old “since the new contract” myth gets another airing…..
Top post, well said.
Again, you’re wasting your time trying to talk sense to the little Anti Ozil Hate Brigade.
Just leave them to wallow in their own ignorant stupidity.
If things with Arteta and Ozil are unfixable and he won’t play this season at all, when buy off his contract and make this thing go away. It can’t keep happening after every game he is not in the squad. Because he has large following, jornos will keep asking – clicks. It will get toxic as soon as first negative result comes. Let just stop this talking point, it isn’t fair on rest of the team, on Arteta and on Ozil. We are going to pay him anyway, pay him for this to go away. I am sure some solutions… Read more »
I salut you! I for one don’t like taking sides without much evidence.
Saw some moaning Myrtles on Twitter crying for their man Ozil, saying Arteta was an idiot and the worst thing to happen to the club. Yet their man, the one taking in hundreds of thousands a week from us so he can play Fortnite is some sort of ‘butter wouldn’t melt’ innocent. My arse.
You know i keep wondering what becomes of these fans when Ozil’s contract ends next season. It’s almost as if they would rather have the club failed to justify their Ozil narratives!
This is really sad
Whilst people like you try to continually justify his omission from the team, whilst the team’s midfield creativity levels are absolute dog shit.
They will either start supporting the next club he goes to or they will find something else about Mikel and Arsenal to slag off.
I think, somehow, the people who are currently slagging Ozil off are the ones who’ll be looking for a new target…..
Shame what’s happening with Ozil. At first i thought it was to do with not taking the pay cut, and not being part of the collective. But now lately been thinking that it might be his political outbursts (China treatment of urghurs) which means playing him might affect Arsenals business relations/sponsorship income. It surely has to run deeper than not being good enough for Mikel. He played pretty much all games pre Covid. Either way, as long as we keep winning, I don’t really care who plays. I would like him off our books though (if he isn’t going to… Read more »
I don‘t buy that. To me the last games Ozil played he didn’t look committed at all. And I‘m not talking about body language. He just wasn‘t very good. Whether he‘s not determined in training or whatever. I‘m definitely backing the decision maker(s) in not picking a top earner who isn‘t carrying his weight and refusing to move on from his luxurious salary at Arsenal. Everything his agent says sounds as if it‘s only about money. If he truly believes it‘s not about his performances and he‘s good enough to play, why would he steadfastly refuse to move on when… Read more »
The last game Ozil played was to provide an assist for our winner against West Ham before lockdown.
But, hey, don’t let me stop you indulging yourself in your favourite Anti Ozil myths….
Oh, so you call everyone who doesn‘t share your opinion ignorant and misinformed…while judging a player on his last game? Shit, you almost had me convinced.
But, hey, don’t let me stop you indulging yourself in your favourite Pro Ozil myths….
Myths? ? Let’s see what ‘myths’ Thierry Henry has to offer on the subject shall we? This was Ozil not in 2014, not 2015, not 2016, not 2017, not 2018 – but last season before lockdown.
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=ZHxFXQ3zQ0M
Ruthless but at least you’re honest.
Sigh…. Why must this situation reach this state today…
Stan. Kroenke.
Does Mesut still have a shirt number? I think Arteta’s stance on non negotiable will be across all competitions, so we may never see Ozil again, not even in the Europa league, or moose/caribou cup.
Just make it stop. I don’t wish ill on Mesut, but this just needs to stop and all parties should move on. Negotiate a settlement, release him to find a new club and be done with this toxic bullshit that surfaces every bloody week.
You can thank Kroenke for this mess.
He’s the one who’s instructed Arteta not to pick Ozil. Stanley doesn’t like anyone questioning his dodgy pay cut schemes…..
For the last decade or so our press conferences have been dominated with discussions around contracts.
From Van Persie to Nasri to Walcott, to Wenger to Sanchez and Ozil, and then back to Wenger and now Ozil again. It’s a very sad inditement as to how the clubs been run in that time.
Let’s hope as soon as Ozil is gone we can draw a line under this circus once and for all.
Nasri technically came before Van Persie…sorry to be a pedant
The order makes no real difference, merely that’s it hung over the club for years
I doubt it is much different at other big clubs. I think Liverpool press conferences must have had a lot of questions about Luis Suarez, Sterling, Coutinho, Andy Carrol, and from Benitez to Roy H to Brendan Rogers to Dalgleish, to Klopp. The order is probably wrong and I’m sure I forgot important controversies–but that’s my point: we think our situation is so unusual because we really don’t care what’s happening at other clubs.
It’s possible but it seems to me we’ve been on the back foot in this regard consistently and for quite some time, going from one contractual crisis to another.
It’s the sheer repetitive nature that i think is unusual.
Whatever you think of Mesut Ozil, the club has handled it poorly. Ozil being left out is certainly not in Arteta’s hands and not football related but he has to hustle with those questions all the damn time b’se he faces the media. We should not be associated with disgracing our players like Real Madrid. Someone like Auba cld for example struggle in his third yr, will the club and fans turn on him and disgrace him like this because Ozil used to be loved just as much?
why is it not football related. If he was in top form he be in the side, the problem is his form which was patchy to say the least already has dropped off a cliff in recient years hes finished as a player.
Another myth. Mesut Ozil’s so-called ‘patchy form’2019/20, prior to lockdown. The truth of the matter is that he was no worse than any of our other midfielders.
https://youtu.be/ZHxFXQ3zQ0M
But on 350k a week he should be considerably better
Well if the guy was actually allowed to fucking play, he might be! ?
No, you said he was no worse when he played, for the money he should be considerably better.
He’s paid match winning wages, and is expected to put in match winning performances.
How can he turn in match winning performances when he’s not getting picked….?
Maybe im being harsh saying hes finished as a player. No doubt he has quality but is also very inconsistant and often games seem to pass him by. I agree he should at least be on the bench. Arteta seems like a fair man so its a strange one that he isnt selected in the squad. But his attitude in training has been questioned by the previous manager as well. I just dont think he fits into the way arteta wants to play. He doesnt really fit into a midfield role in this system due to his lack of effort/… Read more »
His game time will be lowered but if he is on an Aguero we certainly will play him around
Ozils been abject since signing the second contact. Hope any regression for Auba wont prove so immediate
Stick around mate. We’ve had people screaming abuse at Wenger, Alexis and now Ozil.
If the same idiots are posting the same rubbish in two years time because Auba has suffered a dip in form or may be running a bit slower – like Alexis – it wouldn’t surprise me in the least.
Fanbase recognises effort… Thats why tolerance for Laca remained relatively high last season despite him at that times having seemed to have lost his touch in front of goal. Most recognised that Alexis had run himself into the ground by 2017, but any disquiet centred around his angling to leave. (which of course in retrospect we should allowed him to do for the 60m offered) Yes there were a bunch who railed against Rambo but the majority throughout again appreciated his willingness to do whatever was asked of him. There is a whole litany of players who lacked quality (Rambo… Read more »
“Someone like Auba cld for example struggle in his third yr, will the club and fans turn on him and disgrace him like this because Ozil used to be loved just as much?“
Of course! Looking at this bunch here, anything else would be surprising.
Top post, well said.
Some tosser on here actually wrote ‘Arteta Out’ after the Brighton defeat.
Top post, well said.
“Someone like Auba cld for example struggle in his third yr, will the club and fans turn on him and disgrace him like this because Ozil used to be loved just as much?” Mesut held out for the kind of bank-breaking money that renders him responsible for consistent, match-winning performances irrespective of outside influences. It was neither Arsene nor Arsenal who were jumping with joy at the prospect of pinching the club’s pockets for years to come just to ensure that a marquee signing stayed on. If he was a marquee signing, he should have delivered marquee performances consistently. There… Read more »
Your reply is well thought and all that but I can tell you our fanbase has a precedent of disgracing our own, the same way Arsene was abused, there was a time the hate for Ramsey was at its peak, You can trust them to do the same to anyone, If things don’t go as planned quickly in terms of our evolution under Arteta, the same fans will start the Arteta out hashtag and bullshit like that, Auba will go through a little dry spell and they will start spitting his wages on his face. There is a clear precedent… Read more »
If Mesut isn’t training as hard as Arteta wants then fine don’t play him. If he doesn’t fit into the system Arteta wants then fine don’t play him. Mikel Arteta is the Boss.
If Mesut doesn’t play because of his contract, his associates or his personal views then I think that is very wrong of the club.
It’s because he stood up to Kroenke over the pay cuts – and yes, it is very wrong. But that’s how things are under the current regime.
Ozil himself stated a few months back that there are – and I quote “people at this club trying to destroy me”- Unquote.
Make no mistake, this has nothing to do with Arteta or the player’s form/training.
Yeah, I don’t think fans are confused. I think reporters are obsessed.
Not necessarily.
They might just want to know, as I do, why our best creative midfielder is being omitted from the squad, whilst the rest of our midfield are about as creative as a pub side.
Arteta ain’t half played those with a straight bat, blimey?
He was bullshitting. It’s nothing new. All managers do it when they’re being asked uncomfortable questions.
It was really fucking annoying last night: I couldn’t see the game because no UK broadcaster was showing it. The useless cunts at Sky decided that Fleetwood v Everton was the biggest game of the evening. Arseholes. On the radio it sounded like we dominated and was well deserving of the victory. Arteta is moving us in the right direction. Good. A propos Ozil: last night was the final nail in the coffin. Arteta has clearly dumped him for good. Hopefully, our German friend will be gone before the transfer window shuts next month. A loan deal that takes some… Read more »
Does Ozil pick the team?
No he doesn’t.
So what else is he supposed to do? Gate-crash the fucking pitch?
Honestly, some of you are really hard work…..
If, if, if. Talking bollocks as usual.
Sorry mate do you know something we don’t know? He’s downed tools or something?
It’s always been crystal clear with Arteta. You want to play, you gotta be 100% on board. You fall off, you can get back on board if you “train like an animal”. I very much doubt Mesut Ozil has it in him to “train like an animal”. Given his exclusion, I’m beginning to doubt whether he even trains like a professional footballer. The only argument his supporters are able to come up with is that he is creative, so he should be put in the squad. I’m sure Arteta’s position is that you only play if you earn your place.… Read more »
He must have trained like an animal and must have been 100% on board prior to the pandemic as he was playing every game, and Arteta was loving him. We were playing with a back four on paper, but a back three (Xhaka) in actuality, and Ozil was up with a front four. Since the re-start, we’ve played exclusively the 3-4-3 with the wider players in hybrid roles. That’s our style now, and as many mention above, there is absolutely no spot for Ozil in that system. I’m completely behind Arteta, and he’s getting the results, which is what we… Read more »
Just a sad situation all round. Hope Arsenal and Ozil resolve this mess soon.. somehow.. it would be best for both parties now
But Arteta took those questions like he’s been in management for 20 years. He’s learned from some of the best I see
watching the game last night it became abundantly clear why Ozil will probably not play again, and Arteta alluded to it in his responses as well. Arteta has put a lot of effort into how the team plays without the ball, which, unfortunately, is precisely Ozil’s biggest weakness. Arteta puts a lot of emphasis on intense pressing and maintaining defensive shape. You could easily see the crazy amount of pressing from our forwards all the way back to our midfielders; even Pepe has evolved and begun to put in a solid shift in pressing and tracking back. Something Ozil has… Read more »
could he be on furlough?
All the bad feelings aside, I wonder if any Tier 1 (top 6 in any league) teams would sign him if he was available for a nominal fee.
The simple thing Arteta was trying to point out was that Ozil simply cannot be in any long term plans. Arsenal are not going to offer him a new contract. Financially, it is no longer feasible to keep his wage burden, even if he was a player creating chances, scoring goals and assisting like throwing rice at a wedding. The structure Ozil needs (probably) is not one that meshes with Arteta’s plan. He has retired from international football, so it is not as if he actually needs game time to draw the German coaches’ attention, unlike others who have Euro… Read more »
Point 6. Exactly what they want. Enables talentless borderline literate clowns to churn out reams of valueless copy without having to tax a single neuron. Far easier than actually working for a living.
I believe he didn’t toe the line with the requested team pay cut and that’s a big part of why he isn’t getting a look in….As shown with Guendouzi Arteta isn’t a manager to take on…he’s setting standards and if you fall short you are out
It wasn’t Arteta’s decision to omit Ozil from the squad. It was the board’s. Guendouzi’s situation is a different matter entirely; he behaved like an absolute idiot and rightly got the wrong side of Artrta. The difference is that Arteta has since hinted that Guendouzi might be used again. That hasn’t happened with Ozil. We barely got half of the available Premiership points from our post lockdown Ozil-less team and finished 8th. I think, given the option, Arteta would only be too glad to include Mesut Ozil in the squad. He should at least be allowed to make the bench… Read more »
Just gonna leave this link here for all the Ozil haters and people who accuse me of not being able to back up my arguments with facts.
https://youtu.be/ZHxFXQ3zQ0M
Before lockdown, Mesut Ozil was no worse than any of our other midfielders.
You can try and kid yourselves all you want that he no longer has anything to offer this club between now and next May. This link – with a few words from Thierry Henry – begs to differ.
The only reason the player sn’t in the side is because Stan Kroenke doesn’t like people questioning his dodgy pay cuts.
For the umpteenth time, it is not hate. It is simply accepting that players have a shelf life. His has past at Arsenal.
what has this got to do with hate? Other than in the increasingly laughable Orwellian sense which we are forced to hear about certain crimes, as if other ones are “love crimes”.
Pure expediency dictates that he should move in. No emotion.
The guy’s not been selected. Isn’t that enough?
No, you have to slag him off, with the same tired old lies. That’s hate.
Good lord go look up the definition man. You do realise that words need a common understanding to have a meaning? Please learn what the rest of the world defines as hate rather than defining it as “anything I don’t agree with”.
Oh dear. Someone’s tired.
Does whether or not I think you hate Mesut Ozil really matter that much? It’s just an opinion, for fuck’s sake.
You’ve all got what you fucking want anyway – he’s no longer in the match day squad and he’ll be gone by next May.
Chill the fuck out. It’s not that big a deal.
Yet he had some really good games before lockdown
He did. But certain individuals believe what they choose to believe, despite facts tobthe contrary. And this has been my point with Ozil.
He has been nowhere near as bad as people are making out
If you are right about the Kronke’s not liking him questioning the pay cut, that means Arteta lies in news conferences. It seems doubtful.
I expect it is that Ozil is not putting in the kind of running and discipline wanted and he has run out of patience. That is the same for Pepe not getting starts.
We will never find out, just like all the secrets Arsene kept.
Karl mate, come on.
Of course Arteta lies – he’s talking to the press. He’s hardly going to air the club’s dirty laundry in public…..
Wake up.
No. I don;t think he ever directly lies. If he doesn’t want to be open about something, he will divert or say that remains inside the club.
Karl, just looking at the replies Arteta gives, he’s basically saying a bunch of nothing that bears no relation to the questions.
Which makes sense because we cannot possibly say he’s telling the truth or lying if he says 7+2=9 when the reporter asks what is 2+2?
It just remains to be seen if Ozil is happy to do nothing but train for a year at his age.
It feels like something happened that made Arteta dig his heels in, as Mesut has never made the tech since empty stadiums.
If he is not training well or giving it his all, shouldn’t there be repercussions with his salary? isn’t there something in the contract that at least states that?
Like when he does something wrong, he can fine a week or two of wages.
What exactly has the guy done wrong….?
Is there any evidence that he isn’t training well or giving it his all?
My guess is that there would be performance related bonuses and appearance fee’s
If Mikael says that he picks the players who in his opinion as team manager are in the best condition to play, well that should be end of discussion
It should.
The trouble is, there’s too many hate mongers wanting to twist the knife.
It’s not enough for them that the guy hasn’t been selected.
Not for the fans. And anyway I can’t shake the feeling that it isn’t ultimately Artetas decision, he’s just operating within constraints from people above who are getting a free pass at the moment.
Totally agree. Well said.
Like you asked someone earlier, do you have evidence?
Does anyone really think a players wage should affect the team selection? Can he orchestrate the attack – relevant – is he overpaid – irrelevant
People like to think they’re getting ‘value for money’ I guess. (Especially Biggles) But you make an interesting point. What constitutes value for money in football terms? Cups, goals, assists…? With Mesut Ozil’s help, Arsenal won three FA Cups in four years – three FA Cups are as many as Tottenham Hotspur have ever achieved since May 1981. Yet that hasn’t prevented people from throwing his salary (which Ivan Gazidis and Arsene Wenger were quite happy to offer him – and, even more miraculously – sanctioned by Stan Kroenke) back in his face, whilst he has been omitted from the… Read more »
Do you think Ozil would play if he was on £50k a week?
Personally i don’t think he would as he no longer offers the team anything
There’s a very good reason he no longer ‘offers’the team anything.
He doesn’t get picked.
By the way, in his last match in an Arsenal shirt he ‘offered’ an assist for our late winner against West Ham, before lockdown.
This Ozil stuff is boring now. I couldn’t care less whether he plays or not. I just want to see the team play well and win matches.
It’s not like Ozil has been setting the world alight for the last few seasons, anyway.
Should not overlook Ozil’s contributions. At the time, it signaled a belated by seismic shift in thinking by Wenger and it accrued results in those cup wins which unfortunately were not followed on enough with substantial investment 2015. But his time at the club is with all due respects over and its time to build a new midfield. Ceballos looks the heart beat at the moment (if we can confirm him next summer, he won’t be cheap) but Granit (and maybe Partey) holding provide both deep playmaking and strength/security. If we add say Coutinho (or Aouar) as well to left… Read more »
“I couldn’t care less whether he plays or not – I just want to see my team play well.”
?????????
At this point with one year left to run, we should be willing to leave him on bench if he does not go out on loan or get sold (unlikely) Still a decent option if not worth the wages now but I feel as with Pepe to some extent, Ozil’s problem is not his on ball output but off ball work. When both were playing in the squad early in Arteta’s tenure, it was essentially carrying two players with defensive phase…one gives up too easily the other puts in half tepid challenges and neither win many of their take ons.… Read more »
Looks like Partey the more likely deal now with Torreira in the mix. Some noise about Jorginho with Chelsea looking to make up for their FFP approved spending…but likely this is more insurance for us and if anything a push on AM to make it happen with Partey. Which means we will likely have to compromise on LCM with Lyon as perusual recalcitrant on price. Coutinho apparently still potential for a late move (Likely on loan) and frankly won’t be the worse deal by a far stretch. …but you never know with Aouar as well since Lyon often their own… Read more »
Who wants to bet £5 that once Ozil leaves, Qualitee will suddenly not comment on all things arsenal?
I feel he will move on eventually after a few weeks of watching youtube Mesut Ozil compilations to the soundtrack of Celine Dions my heart will go on
A supporter since 1971 and a season ticket holder since 1985.
Try me. ?
we dont know whats going on behind the scenes – what we read on the internet isn’t evidence – but we do know that Ozil has been poor for quite a while. Arteta has us playing in a way that does not suit a player like Ozil – he doesn’t press or chase back and is too easily pushed off the ball. i dont question his football ability but i do think that he’s just no the right fit for the style of football that most teams are adopting nowadays. where in the present system where would you play him?… Read more »
And for the first time in years I do not have an Arsenal Jersey for the beginning of a new season!
#OZILOUT