Despite having only played last night, Arsenal’s pre-game press conference for Monday night’s clash with West Brom took place this morning.
Arsene Wenger was on hand to provide the latest team news update, more based on the players who weren’t in action last night than those who were.
Calum Chambers was taken off at half-time, and the manager revealed he’d be out for a few weeks.
“He will be out until after the international break,” said Wenger. “He has a little recurrence of his hip problem.
“Theo Walcott we’ll check today, we don’t think it’s too much.”
There was also an update on Mesut Ozil who missed the 0-0 draw with Chelsea, but is expected to be back in the squad for West Brom.
“He’s in training,” said the manager. “He’ll come back in with the team today or tomorrow.”
We’ve got Özil!
Mesut Özil
I just don’t think the cunts understand…..
I just don’t think you understand…
I love Ozil (he healed the scars that Fabregas left). But the team did well without Ozil against Chelsea. He should not be put back in the team right away. Let him earn his place back like Sanchez or Wilshere are trying to.
Ozil and Sanchez also need to see that there is more to this team then them.
Maybe we did well against Chelsea but with the chance that Ozil would have created we would probably have won.
Chances
or maybe the reason the team was so defensively secure against chelsea was because we had 4 midfielders who were constantly defending for the team by tracking back and pressing from the team , something which ozil is not really keen on .
I was reading a lot of Pundits say that Ozil should not play in any of the big away games (City, United, Sp*rs, etc.). I think that is absolute nonsense. Their argument was that the system that needs to be in place to be competitive at those venues, doesn’t work with Ozil in the side. I remember Arsenal taking a changed approach against Bayern in the group in UCL once and Ozil was the star of the show. In that game the team had been happy to sit back and let Bayern enjoy the possession and hit them on the… Read more »
What’s not his job?
Not only the defenders defend. It’s 2017, football has changed.
I like Ozil and think his work rate is fine, don’t give a shit about his body language. However I hate when he tracks all the way back and then doesn’t bother trying to block the cross, and I hate even more when there’s a ball to be won and he ducks under it.
For a player of Ozil quality, you should be telling the rest of the team to stay discipline, cover for him if needed and basically set the team around him. Did we moan that bergkamp wasn’t running back? No!! Players like Adams, known, gilberto, vieira, petite, sol, kolo et al got the ball back and got it to bergkamp quickly, who would be in the best possible position to play an unstoppable through ball or a shot to hurt the opponents. We need to stop following arsenal hating pundits vision of “Yeh but he doesn’t run back or is not… Read more »
The solution is not to turn Ozil into a defender. The solution is to set up the midfield in such a way that they could handle the defensive part without the need for Ozil to join in. Even if Ozil and Giroud/Lacazette don’t join in surely 9 players helping out in defence should be enough, no?
I don’t completely agree, but I am happy that someone who is critical of Ozil balances that criticism with a realistic assessment of his qualities.
it is not just the responsibility of the defenders to defend , the entire team has to defend as a unit starting from the front (the striker who will press the centre backs) particularly against better oppositions . maybe when bergamp used to play it was not like that , but times have changed. you cant afford even a single freeloader in the team , theres just no place to hide. the kind of players pep guardiola , conte , mourinho plays , they all defend from the front even the likes they bought for huge sums . ozil would… Read more »
The problem Ozil has that he is out of contract in a few months, so he is now even more afraid to compete for the ball in 50-50 situations. That is why everyone lambasted him in the game against Stoke.
What was even more bizarre was Wright suggesting Arsenal or Ozil faked his injury to get him out the first team.
Leave ozil out the team old man
I think such comments should be moderated by the blogs
Leave out the best assist maker in the world? Because he can’t defend like defenders…… against west brom who will sit back and come for a point?
I am speechless…….
Yes leave our most creative player out the team
A Wilshere, Lacazette, Alexis, Ozil team sounds decent… of course zero defence but decent.
Seriously doubt we’ll be seeing a Wilshere appearance in the Brom match. Late sub at most. I suspect the Boss is going to walk him slowly back into full appearances.
Yeah too much. Ramsey is having a good spell and it’ll be important for him to cement his improvement with Granit. That is the main pairing currently. Elneny seems to have improved his long passing and this could be another plus for I am we need options but first and foremost we need familiarity between the partnership in the middle. Back up for Granit is also a potential issue bc he provides such accurate delivery from deep. If Ramsey and Granit can continue to improve their defensive positioning and awareness, it will provide both better security for the back 3… Read more »
I don’t think Wenger left Ozil out for tactical reasons against Chelski bus.
He’s an excellent provider of opportunities for us and often chalk up the most running for the team.
AW logic says attack duo should be Walcott-Lacasette, and later Lacasette for Alexis, AW logic I said.