goon wrote:

I know the Ozil type, I play with one of them in my 7 a side. It's a mental block. On their off days you can shout, bark and direct them as much as you want, it probably just makes things worse. So whatever improvements Emery may have made to his game, it won't solve the consistency issue.

Wasn't Riquelme often accused of the same failings?
As such like AW they are the end of a breed perhaps?

All true. He's still got an elite first touch though, if only we had strikers and other AMs with a touch of that quality, maybe we'd be able to actually carve out chances against fodder like Everton away.

I watched Ozil extensively during his Real days when he was European assist king. He benefited from the movement and finishing of Ronaldo and Benzema. But let's not act like his problems of disappearing are new. Mourinho called him a "coward" even in these lavish surrounds, as he had a habit of disappearing and only giving 50%. Unlike Wenger who protected him, Mourinho (being a different animal) had dressing room bust-ups. But I think this approach worked because Ozil would bounce back from these malaises with some of the finest performances of his career - not just because of Ronaldo/Benzema - but on his own, he controlled games.

I suspect he's lacked the whip to drive him, and this is what Emery found when he arrived.

Claudius wrote:

But let's not act like his problems of disappearing are new. Mourinho called him a "coward" even in these lavish surrounds, as he had a habit of disappearing and only giving 50%. Unlike Wenger who protected him, Mourinho (being a different animal) had dressing room bust-ups.

Oh lord please don't tell me you mean that fucking fanfiction tale.

Mirth wrote:

Yep, people view Ozil as a passer of the ball but at one time he was up there with the best dribblers around. He's not as quick on his feet anymore, although I guess that's a function of age as much as anything else.

He always had a deceptive burst over short distances, enough to catch defenses napping. He's much less nimble and quick these days

jones wrote:

Claudius wrote:

But let's not act like his problems of disappearing are new. Mourinho called him a "coward" even in these lavish surrounds, as he had a habit of disappearing and only giving 50%. Unlike Wenger who protected him, Mourinho (being a different animal) had dressing room bust-ups.

Oh lord please don't tell me you mean that fucking fanfiction tale.

Which fan fiction tale? The one he discusses in his very own autobiography? 

I used to defend Ozil like a few on here are, but for the last 18 months or so he’s been a disgrace I’m afraid. Wenger comments about a player losing hunger with International retirement are bang on. He’s got his massive contract, he’s got no motivation to perform well, Arsenal aren’t going to win the PL in his time here and he’s already won the cups.

Sadly he’s almost impossible to get rid of, Arsenal won’t loan him whilst they still have to pay some of his wage, and he won’t let us anyway. He’s here until 2021 when he’ll then get another massive contract somewhere else.

Claudius wrote:

jones wrote:

Oh lord please don't tell me you mean that fucking fanfiction tale.

Which fan fiction tale? The one he discusses in his very own autobiography? 

Yeah that one. You know how footballer "auto" "biographies" are they're mostly fictional garbage written for a especially dumb demographic. Still even taking that into account that Özil Mourinho beef was one of the worst cringey pieces I have ever read

I assumed it was exaggerated for dramatic effect (I use dramatic loosely) but I don't have much issue believing he fell out with Mourinho.

Mourinho had numerous flare ups at Ozil. It was not an easy relationship. It was specifically because he did not always think that Ozil was putting in the effort required. He once pulled him at half time (for Kaka, I think) after a hairdryer, and Ozil came under ever more pressure once Modric came in as an alternative, deeper playmaker from Spurs.
He later told Emery something to the effect that Ozil needs a balance between hard and soft management to get the most out of him when the Spaniard joined Arsenal.

The point is we are sometimes led to believe that Emery is this incompetent man manager based on his PSG experiences and he is the first to struggle with Ozil when, in fact, Mourinho has had similar issues before at Madrid. Ozil isn’t going to turn into a workhorse at 31 years of age, so I do hope we find the right solution for all.

Okay he had a poor game but all these weaknesses has been there for the past 2 or 3 years, lets not pretend its new. It's the same flaws but many refuses to see it till now. He is not 350k worth but we have no choice now, unless we can offload him I rather we build more quality around him.

I very much appreciate Mkhi trying whatever he could, dribbling past players and trying to create yesterday even though nothing came off. Both are just too flaky

Clrnc wrote:

I very much appreciate Mkhi trying whatever he could, dribbling past players and trying to create yesterday even though nothing came off. Both are just too flaky

Yeah thats why starting them away from home together, in a team missing Ramsey, Xhaka, etc is a bad idea.

6 seasons here.

Only one when he really got a good number of league assists.

Man was brought in here as a desperate last day deal after the board and wenger fucked up the entire summer when they were chasing what we should have signed- A striker.

To be fair on hindsight nobody expect how bad a signing he would have turned out. I am highly critical of his ineffectiveness but even when he signed a new deal last year we were mostly happy and hopeful.

How silly we are really. Just a big name and nothing else in reality. He is really invisible in big games,totally playing with 10 man yesterday

I know it'll sound like rewriting history here but i really wasn't that gassed when we signed him. The high mainly came from us being able to land a perceived big fish, but as for ozil the player - never really liked him. i always felt he was a diet cesc ever since their junior years

The guy is also selfish and lazy. He bails out of plays during the game. On attack if he's under physical pressure you can actually see him start wilting, and he'll try some ludicrous pass to get out trouble that ends up going nowhere. He runs offside and casually walks back onside while we're still on the attack, leaving us a man down during important attacking plays. On defense i expect very very very little from him as it is, but he still manages to outdo himself on that front. I've seen some appalling phases of play where he won't even jog or briskly walk back

He has conned people for years - fans and arsenal staff. That 350k contact was his prestige. He's fleeced arsenal for his golden parachute and is basically semi-retired at this point.

Ozil hasn't lived up to his hype but what we have seen over the last two seasons is not close to what he showed in his first 4 and I can't get obsessed with stats like G89. He did improve our play, we won 3 cups in 4 seasons and led the League for a larger part of his first season. Can't help but feel Wenger didn't supplement Ozil and Alexis with more quality. The one transfer window of signing zero outfield players killed us.

The new deal for Ozil though. Fuck me. How the hell do we get out of it.

At the time it was a top player in the wrong position and TBF Ozil was pretty good in his first couple of seasons. The problem as it usually has been is we didn't know when to let him go. He should have been sold 18 months before the ridiculous deal was handed to him, or at the very least sold at a cut price the summer before that deal.

Right now he should be pushed out or forced to play a very minor role. That he started yesterday after being so shit in our late season implosion has really dented any faith I have in Emery. I thought he was a manager who wouldn't be afraid to make the big calls.

Yeah, we just haven't been ruthless with under performaning players. Just that one aspect might change our fortunes.

Put him in the U-21's if he refuses to go.

The embarrassment might just push him a little more.