Arsenal midfielder Mesut Ozil has been heavily linked with a January to Premier League rivals Manchester United, but should he consider this move?
The German international has played 119 league matches since joining the Gunners in 2013, picking up 23 goals and a further 42 assists.
He has been a consistent presence in Arsene Wenger’s side but finds himself with less than a year on his existing contract.
With the prospect of joining Jose Mourinho’s high flying Red Devils, Ozil now has a tough decision to make ahead of the January transfer window.
Arguments For
The biggest argument for joining Manchester United is the fact that they are currently poised for more success this season, having picked up League Cup and Europa League honours in Mourinho’s first season in charge.
Arsenal have won three FA Cups out of the past four seasons, but have not truly challenged in the league or in Europe – something that the 28-year-old Ozil should be aiming for at this stage of his career.
United are performing well in the league, with just one goal separating them and Manchester City at the top of the table.
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They are in the Champions League and look fairly assured of progressing through to the next round and should realistically compete for silverware this season.
Arsenal has a good team, with star players such as Alexis Sanchez, Alexandre Lacazette and Aaron Ramsey, but the strength of quality certainly favours United.
United boast the talents of Paul Pogba, David De Gea, Romelu Lukaku, Nemanja Matic and Zlatan Ibrahimovic will return to the team in January to help them compete in the second half of the season.
The team that United has currently gives Ozil a better chance of winning silverware not called the FA Cup, despite that being one of the most valuable cups in the world.
A real chance at the Premier League should entice the World Cup winner to consider moving from London in a few months’ time.
Arguments Against
The biggest argument against Mesut Ozil joining United is the fact that he is unlikely to receive the same amount of game time.
United boast a wealth of quality central midfielders, capable of playing in both an attacking or defensive role.
With the likes of Paul Pogba, Nemanja Matic Henrik Mkhitaryan, Ander Herrera, Juan Mata and the recently resurgent Marouane Fellaini in the team, Ozil would face far more competition for playing time than he does at Arsenal.
He has established a strong chemistry with his teammates at Arsenal, shown clearly by the number of goals he has been involved in since 2013.
Joining United would be a jarring transition for the German, given the number of new players he’d have to adapt to and build chemistry with, whilst having fewer opportunities to do so.
Also consider Ozil’s current form, where he has made around 60 passes per match but failed to contribute a single goal or assist.
His form leaves much to be desired, with Fellaini scoring three goals and Mkhitaryan having a goal and five assists already this season.
If Ozil joined United, he’d have to make an immediate impact if he hopes to push other high-performing players out of the starting eleven.
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But what do you think? Should Mesut Ozil join United or should he stick with Arsenal, who he is more likely to make a bigger impact for?