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Mesut Ozil takes subtle shot at Arsenal ownership

By Rucker Haringey

LONDON, ENGLAND - MARCH 02: Mesut Ozil of Arsenal reacts during the Barclays Premier League match between Arsenal and Swansea City at the Emirates Stadium on March 2, 2016 in London, England. (Photo by Richard Heathcote/Getty Images)
LONDON, ENGLAND - MARCH 02: Mesut Ozil of Arsenal reacts during the Barclays Premier League match between Arsenal and Swansea City at the Emirates Stadium on March 2, 2016 in London, England. (Photo by Richard Heathcote/Getty Images) /
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Arsenal’s star midfielder isn’t impressed by his club’s lack of spending this summer

Credit Mesut Ozil for managing to take a subtle dig at Arsenal in the press. He was quick to compliment the likes of Manchester United and Manchester City on their significant summer spending, but was ominously quiet regarding the lack of incoming transfer for his own club.

The German midfielder told Spox.com that “Manchester United and Manchester City are among the biggest clubs in England and will be very strong in the coming season.” He specifically pointed out how both clubs have spent big on players and managers to better prepare themselves for the upcoming Premier League campaign.

He specifically mentioned the arrivals of countrymen Leroy Sane and Ilkay Gundogan to play for Pep Guardiola at City as signings that would elevate the entire league. One has to wonder why he didn’t stop to talk about Granit Xhaka who is coming to aid his own side this summer.

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Perhaps if Ozil wasn’t delaying his own contract renewal with Arsenal we could brush these comments off as being purely innocent. However, the fact that both he and Alexis Sanchez both have staved off efforts from Arsene Wenger to sign them to new deals this summer, makes you examine the German’s comments much more closely.

When looking at his compliments for several league rivals a little more closely, it seems obvious that Ozil expected his own club to be big spenders this summer as well. The Gunners have been linked with quite a few big name players in the transfer market this summer, but other than the deal for Xhaka, haven’t seemed willing to spend the funds required to acquire Ozil some additional help.

In particular, Wenger and the rest of the higher-ups at Arsenal have failed to address the striker position in any meaningful way. Most believe that Arsenal’s offensive attack could be elevated to a whole new level if they could purchase a world-class striker to go along with their excellent midfield talent. Securing an upgrade over French hitman Olivier Giroud was thought to be one of the club’s highest transfer priorities this summer, but nothing has been done to upgrade the number nine position as of yet.

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That has to be frustrating for a player like Ozil, who thrives on his creativity in the centre of the pitch. Yes, he’s capable of scoring an occasional goal, but his best skill is creating golden scoring chances for others. You can only imagine the frustration that he feels every time Giroud blows one of his simple scoring opportunities.

Mesut Ozil’s latest comments should serve as another warning sign to Arsenal’s ownership that he may not be at the club for the long haul. Arsene Wenger and company need to spend money like their Premier League rivals if they want to hold on to their German talisman.

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