Mesut Ozil is yet to get off the mark for the season, but Arsenal fans needn’t worry.
Arsenal face a visit to St. James’ Park today. Having picked up just 2 wins on the road this calendar year, Arsenal aren’t the heavy favorites they would have hoped to have been. Of course, Newcastle are prepared for this match, having played a number of Arsenal’s top six counterparts already.
Rafael Benitez is no push-over, but Unai Emery will have done his homework. He will have seen that his countryman likes to adopt a deep block against the big sides, and that’s where a particular Mesut Ozil will prove worthwhile.
More from Arsenal FC
- Gunners do just enough to claim victory in season opener
- Arsenal: We bottled it but I don’t care
- Arsenal complete record deal for Declan Rice
- Arsenal splurges on transfers as they aim to collect silverware
- Arsenal complete the signing of Kai Havertz
He is expected to start the match, and rightly so. As the Gunners look to tear down a resilient defense, it will be Ozil’s creativity which allows them to do that. It’s all down to Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang or Alexandre Lacazette picking out space, which you wouldn’t put past them.
He will have had the grueling task of watching Germany play in their international break. We all know what happened over the summer, with racist allegations leading to Ozil stepping down from Die Mannschaft, making a statement for football.
Although he may not look like a man with a point to prove right now, just wait until he hits top gear. Unai Emery has already been piling the pressure on the play-maker, so it’s all a matter of time to see how he reacts to this.
He’s considered to be one of the best in the world for a reason, and no it’s not just because Arsenal fans are bias. Fans across the globe rate him for his creative exploits, and claim that the treatment from Premier League analysts is unfair.
I personally believe he can do better, but it doesn’t make him a bad player. He is Arsenal’s main source of creativity, and although we may not realize it, time and time again he is playing little balls to keep the game flowing outside the opposition’s box.
Newcastle away is never an easy opportunity to kick-start your season as a player. However, given all the context of this game, I believe that Ozil will head into it with a strong head, and more importantly, a point to prove.
What are your predictions for this game? I’m going to go for a lean 2-1 victory for the Gunners, but I would love to hear your thoughts.