It is always possible to shut-down one player in a game. If he is a key player it is more likely to happen. It has happened to Sanchez and Ozil, and we shut down Kane and Dele Alli at the week-end. That is when players like Ramsey and Xhaka need to step-up. You can't expect one player to run every game. Eventually a team is just going to put a player or two on him full-time and shut him down. The problem is not so much about Ozil, but when the rest of the team start passing to him when he is completely covered, or just plain depending on him to create all the chances. And if he is man to man marked that also changes the defensive situation. It is much easier to see in a game like basketball or hockey with only 5 players, but it does exist in football as well.
...and that's why Messi manages to score 50+ goals every Season. The best players in the World dont disappear when they are targeted by the opposition they rise to the challenge. Ozil lacks consistency in his energy and performance levels IMO. (for Arsenal at least)
The problem is the type of play maker he is. We would be better off with a dynamic type. A dribbler, a shooter with even half of Ozil's vision. Ozil is too niche for us.
It depends - I think if we had a Kante type player behind him and just allowed him to play his natural game we would see a better Ozil week in week out.
Messi manages to score 50 goals a season because 75% of the teams in Spain are complete dross. Ozil put up crazy stats in Spain also.
His long list of impressive stats are all based around assists and chances created. Though given that he is a player known for creativity that's not surprising really. He's one of, if not the, best in the world at what he does.
I agree with this, the more freedom to express himself and play his own style he has the better he performs. The more he can be relieved of other responsibilities the more effective he is.
No. Messi manages to score 50+ a Season because he is 'the greatest player of all time'. Ozil never scored more than 10 goals in a Season in Spain. His goals/assists record at Madrid is only marginally better than his record at Arsenal and I put that down to playing with better team mates.
Yep that's right, we need to get rid of a player that leads the league this year in chances created, because he isn't good enough for us, and we have so many better options. Let's go with that. It makes complete sense.
Hit it on the head. Great player and someone i'd love to keep, but he needs to function in a specific environment to get the best out of him. You wouldn't stick a Rolls Royce on a dirt track.
So you mean that our fans aren't ambitious enough to appreciate Ozil? Our fans want a player more suited to us and Stoke?
No. I was trying to say that Ozil holds some outstanding attributes - his vision and creativity which makes him a great player. But he needs the right players around him to function optimally. This is what a lot of others are saying too. I would rather keep him and get a Kante type player to bolster our midfield defence, allowing Ozil to concentrate on his strengths. Throw him into the Invincibles side and he would fit in well, with the likes of Vieira and Gilberto with him. But Ramsey, Coqs or Xhaka? These players aren't good enough to play with him. To be honest, none of those players belong in a top 4 side, mid to lower PL at best. An example of Ozil's lack of all-round game, defensively in particular, was highlighted by Henry in the Watford game: https://www.thesun.co.uk/sport/football/4738724/arsenal-thierry-henry-watford-silly-mistakes/ "Watford’s attack starts with Abdoulaye Doucoure in the centre of the pitch, playing the ball back to right-back Kiko Femenia. Now, Mesut Ozil is next to Doucoure but after that pass, he wanders off upfield. And remember, this is the 92nd minute, away from home and a point is not too bad. The ball’s then pumped towards Arsenal’s box. Rob Holding wins the header under pressure from Cleverley and it drops to Doucoure. Ozil now tries to track back to where he was, but it’s too late." Now he wasn't the only one at fault as others were too, but this is an all too familiar reaction by Ozil. He doesn't do defence, or looks woefully out of place trying. If you're going to play him then have the right balance in midfield to allow for Ozil's inclusion.
The general consensus among Arsenal fans, sports media and rival fans is that Ozil does not do enough. He's an incredible talent but on WAY too many big occasions has gone missing for Arsenal. When I think back to Fabregas at Arsenal the little Spaniard was always involved in the action - he wasn't just creating, he was pressing, tackling and playing with emotion. Ozil is probably a more talented player than Fabregas ever was but Cesc had a FAR bigger impact on the side. A player of Mesuts calibre should have a bigger impact - Its that simple.
Fabregas was everywhere. He rarely ever hid in games and more likely led from the front. He is one player we should have tried our best to bring back, but we didn't seem to bother. Strange as he was one player that fit into Wenger's system the best. He was never the same player when he left Arsenal. He was a perfect fit.
If you want to know if we need Ozil, watch the game against Koln. That is Arsenal's attack without Ozil. Endlessly passing the ball about in front of the defense with little end product. Ozil is creating 4 chances a game, that is the difference between winning and losing, and you can say what you like about his defending but you can't win if you don't score goals.
