I think nobody could've seen what would happen to his form though. By all accounts it should've been a great signing.

Captain wrote:

Ozil wasn't a flop.

Yeah. People seem to be getting him confused with Sanchez.

Revision game is strong. Ozil and Sanchez were part of a successful period for the club, and helped break our near decade long trophy drought. Find it really odd that the fans shit on the treble FA Cup era.

Aye, he won three FA Cups here. That's more than guys like Fabregas and van Persie ever managed.

Yeah I'm a big critic of Ozil, but calling him a flop is obviously over the top. He contributed a lot to that 'successful' spell and was hampered by quality of players around him. His decline and lack of fucks over the past couple of seasons could not really be predicted by the club.

I think it's possible to have been an Arsenal player in the 2014-2017 period and still be a flop, but maybe that's just me.

Whilst I agree, I think with the same players we would have been more successful if instead of Ozil we signed a £42m striker or CB. He was our first big money signing and he has been underwhelming.

Bring Back Kerrea Gilbert wrote:

Ozil was a genuine flop.

he's been disappointing but not a flop. he's basically served the purpose he was brought in for at the time - a marquee signing to show we have clout, and could lift us out of our barren trophy spell. wenger hoped - like i did - he'd become more than just an ornament if given more responsibility. he came here at 24 years of age, so there was still some potential upside in him. it just didn't pan out that way. looking back, getting ozil instead of suarez in 2013 turned out to be quite a turning point for both arsenal and liverpool

deardevil wrote:

Revision game is strong. Ozil and Sanchez were part of a successful period for the club, and helped break our near decade long trophy drought. Find it really odd that the fans shit on the treble FA Cup era.

Was par for the course so far as AW's team building went post 07/08 = a couple of top class players to carry the team whilst we bring in developing players and squad filler.

I still think we would’ve gotten so much more from Ozil if we had brought in another elite attacking player when he and Sanchez first came. Ozil creates space like very few players can. If we had another top scorer playing off him 4 or 5 years ago, we would’ve had a nearly unstoppable attack.

The problem with Ozil was we never understood his role in a team. He’s a catalyst. And there’s only so much a catalyst can do when there isn’t enough around it.

Claudius wrote:

I still think we would’ve gotten so much more from Ozil if we had brought in another elite attacking player when he and Sanchez first came. Ozil creates space like very few players can. If we had another top scorer playing off him 4 or 5 years years, we would’ve had a nearly unstoppable attack.

The problem with Ozil was we never understood his role in a team. He’s a catalyst. And there’s only so much a catalyst can do when there isn’t enough around it.

If I could shake your hand, I would.

A playmaker job is to create for others, but you need movement. Create for Walcott, Giroud, Ox, Iwobi etc has been a hopeless task.

Even Alexis wanted the ball at his feet, to run at the opposition.

Ozil might not track back, might not work hard off the ball defensively, but he has not been a flop.

Horrible, horrible, team construction.

A highlight reel of beautiful moments? Of course. But he's still been a flop and I can't wait till he finally leaves the club.

ohboy!!! wrote:
Claudius wrote:

I still think we would’ve gotten so much more from Ozil if we had brought in another elite attacking player when he and Sanchez first came. Ozil creates space like very few players can. If we had another top scorer playing off him 4 or 5 years years, we would’ve had a nearly unstoppable attack.

The problem with Ozil was we never understood his role in a team. He’s a catalyst. And there’s only so much a catalyst can do when there isn’t enough around it.

A playmaker job is to create for others, but you need movement. Create for Walcott, Giroud, Ox, Iwobi etc has been a hopeless task.

People said this for years, but then we got Laca and Auba so the excuses changed.

Walcott and Giroud have plenty of flaws but movement isn't one of them.

I think these discussions are a waste of time when argued as extremes because the truth is always somewhere in between.
The consensus has been that the biggest hole we've failed to fill for years has been Vieira (the platform for the team).
It's true that the Ozil who was one of the best number 10s in the world ceased to exist after the back injury that has limited his physical capability. His weakened frame also means he cannot compete physically and is easily pushed off the ball. He no longer is a strong runner with the ball and now has to beat opponents using pure football ability.

He isn't great anymore but isn't useless either and Emery picks him as he is still amongst the best passers of the ball

@lorddulaarsenal wrote:

Sounds like he’s off to Tottenham

Yep.

Mohamed Bouhafsi
?Info @RMCsport : Coup de théâtre dans le dossier #Saliba ! #Tottenham a transmis une offre dépassant les 30M€ hors bonus pour Saliba. Une offre dépassant les attentes de #ASSE. Réunion demain pour finaliser l’operation alors que #Arsenal avait trouvé un accord global.

Yep, we haggeld over 4 mil in bonuses and we are about to lose him to Spurs. Spurs want to close the deal tomorrow and have offered 30 million up front and bonuses. We offered 26 bonuses included and payment in 2 years. Close this one up.