Why leaving Arsenal is the kindest thing Mesut Ozil could do
By Kian Long
Arsenal are running a project that doesn’t involve the Germany playmaker.
All good things must come to an end. It’s a saddening statement but it is particularly prevalent in football. It’s telling of the Mesut Ozil at Arsenal conundrum, too. When he first signed, fans thought they had signed a world-class player and that their trajectory would take a turn for the better, and it did for some time. But now, it’s time to let go.
See, of the last two managers since Arsene Wenger’s long reign, Unai Emery and Mikel Arteta, both have failed to implement him into the starting XI. This is not because they are bad managers but more because of the direction which the club is heading in no longer calls for Ozil’s services.
He is entering the final season of his contract, a contract which puts him on a pedestal of Arsenal’s highest earner. How could it possibly be that a player earning so much money is not making the starting XI?
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I, for one, am tired of hearing the same old narrative that he’s “unavailable for selection”. Truth is, if he was ever available for selection, which seems a rarity in itself, then he would not put in the effort required to get Arsenal the win.
That’s not me scapegoating, I have no reason to scapegoat at this moment since everything is going right with the club. I’m just stating a fact that it’s no coincidence we play better without Mesut Ozil in the side. And in fairness, nor is it telling of Ozil’s immense quality; he and Arsenal just don’t go hand-in-hand anymore.
According to a new report from the Telegraph, clubs from Saudi and Qatar have shown an interest in signing Mesut Ozil this summer. There will likely be many clubs from around Europe too, since this is where Ozil has shone throughout his illustrious career.
The point that I want to make is that Ozil simply must look at options elsewhere. A large portion of fans don’t want him to “honour his contract” as I feel this is simply a get out of jail free card. If he left the club, fans would remember him for being a great player and being free of the onus of his wages means Arsenal can reinvest this money into players that are worth it, such as Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang.
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Do you think Mesut Ozil will leave Arsenal this summer?