A stunning deterioration in the relationship of Unai Emery and the scapegoated midfielder Mesut Ozil has reached a point where it may be too far gone to be salvaged.
Ozil has been forced to cede to his vast critics that have emerged in hordes, barraging him and accusing him of derailing an entire country’s World Cup hopes. Now Arsenal‘s Spanish boss must decide the future of the play-making midfielder, who has seemingly been exiled from the North London squad’s starting lineup.
A multitude of reports claims dilapidation in their relationship, where the likes of a limited Alex Iwobi has passed him in the manager’s eyes. Such a thought is daunting for the Gunners fans, who have seen their club run into a spell of scoreless games, which simultaneously runs parallel to the continuous benchings of offensive dynamos, Mesut Özil and Aaron Ramsey.
In all fairness, the midfielder’s zestful play remains in the offensive third, whereas he does not show nearly enough vigour when the opponent is in possession. Nonetheless, he is a player that makes a lineup better regardless of his defensive deficiency, it is not as if Thiery Henry or Robin Van Persie is his replacement.
Far gone are the days where every one of Ozil’s whims were catered to by the long-reigning Arsene Wegner. In turn, Emery is perusing for sales options that would free up a surprisingly tight summer transfer budget. Transfer talk is far from a full-on excommunication in North London, but the early stages of such a process seem to be underway.
The German midfielder has not seen the lineup, either in a starting or reserve role, since the new year. His last appearance was a fairly impotent start in Brighton, being removed at the half. Overall he has taken part in thirteen of twenty-two matches in the Premier League without suffering a serious injury. Something is rotten in the borough of Islington.
The suddenly wayward midfielder should be the focal point of any attack, as he is the most talented and creative player in the squad. His innate ability to create space and find passing options are talents unequalled among his teammates. If Emery deems Ozil as an inadequate match, then he must sell him and benefit from his transfer budget. He must avoid stringing along the player in a perfunctory manner, squandering the precious time of the club and player.
Emery’s in need of transfer funds
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Many have held a similar opinion of the debacle at the Emirates, as Ozil appears primed to go. The truth of the matter is that Emery is in need of transfer funds and if this is his method of acquiring them, he is doing the correct thing.
The unforeseen lack of funds at Emery’s disposal is rather alarming and must be rectified if changes are to be made. Arsenal truly needs two centre-backs, a left-back, and a winger to fill out a functioning squad that can plant a flag and lay claim to a Champions League position. A transfer budget of £90m will be helpful, but may not be enough to fill all of these deficiencies.
This is the only way a sale of Ozil would make any semblance of sense, to better the club. It would likely be mutually beneficial at this point, thus a change will most likely be made.
However, the loss of such a dynamic force in the lineup coupled with Ramsey’s departure for Turin is a thought that must dismay fans. What is to become of Arsenal’s number 10 role? Henrikh Mkhitaryan is not of the proper quality to be starting in that role for a top-six club. He is a solid sub, but nothing more. Emery needs another winger or player who can play across the frontline to properly fill out a starting XI, with limited options at the front and back ends. Selling Ozil would just create a crater in the middle of the park.
At PSG he employed a fluid system that would fluctuate between a 4-3-3 and a 4-1-2-2-1. Although this may be his preferred systems, he does not have the correct talent to match with it. He might be more suited to play a formation similar to Spurs, with Lacazette and Aubameyang embodying Son and Kane. The addition of a winger to compliment this duo would be wise, as Ozil patrols the upper middle and Xhaka and Torreira the lower portion.
Thus Emery must sell or utilize Ozil and simply nothing in between. The star midfielder will find solace in a new club, where he can actively participate and become the focal point of an attack once again. It is only a matter of time. Time for Emery, Ozil, and Arsenal, as time is indeed very fleeting.