Have Mesut Ozil and Mikel Arteta finally found some common ground?
According to the Mirror, the German midfielder was given some playing minutes in Saturday’s friendly v Aston Villa at the Emirates Stadium.
This is relatively big news, since Ozil was left either on the bench or entirely off the team sheet following the season’s restart in June.
All reports indicated the Gunners wanted to either pay out his contract or see him move on to greener pastures, however, Ozil stayed firm on his commitment to remain with the club through the last year of his contract. He hasn’t wavered on his determination to stay no matter how much money was waved in his face.
Since the end of last season, Arteta has said he will give every player the chance to start with a “clean sheet.” Whatever happened in the past, stays in the past. Well, it looks like the boss is staying good on his promise, and even with Mesut Ozil.
Ozil announced on social media following yesterday’s friendly that his “Arsenal career is back on track.”
I, for one, think Mesut Ozil can play a big role for the club this season. Yes, he is not the defensive dynamo that Arteta expects from his players, however, there is always a chance for goals through his style of play. A player of his ability, making the amount of wages that he makes can not be exiled. The problems between Ozil and Arteta do not seem to be personal, so maybe, just maybe, Arteta will give Ozil a serious second chance to get back in his good graces, and thus contribute to a successful season ahead.
One of Yankee Gooner’s readers summed it up nicely for me, “Let me add we have nothing to lose by giving Ozil an opportunity, if he doesn’t perform to expectations, substitute him. However, we have everything to gain, IF he can find form.”
I totally agree!
Cheers, and stay healthy and safe!
Gunner1953
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Ozil has long been a favorite of mine. He’s a total magician. But I think it’s possible there may in fact be something to lose by keeping him around. He might always be there as a dangerous example of a great player unwilling to completely buy in to Arteta’s team philosophy and playing style. Other players may be drawn away from Arteta, whose approach is demanding and strict. Perhaps it was no accident that the team played best at the end of the season when he was not around.