Build it around Mesut

This isn't an article wading into the Ozil 'flop or not' debacle that's been waged between fans, pundits and the media.

Just so you know where I stand, I think he's been decent, excellent at times and had a small handful of poor/average games. Certainly when he's not been available the team has suffered.

IMO; Ozil is a seriously gifted, unique and influential talent. Many would call the guy a 'number 10', a player who controls play between the middle of the park and the final 3rd. The way Arsenal set-up offensively means he'll (usually) see a lot of the ball, that's great... At the risk of getting into another debate I'd argue (quite fervently) that to get the best out of Ozil the midfield would benefit from having a specialist 'anchor' type player. Wenger likes (make that LOVES) Arteta playing that role. The Spaniard can play that role & always gives his all, but for me, going forward, Arsenal HAVE to be looking at a higher level player (top class). With a nailed-on midfield lynchpin in the fold, all of a sudden, the likes of Ramsey & certainly Ozil suddenly have that extra bit of freedom to express themselves creatively.

I'll stop short of banging the drum of howling for a fast forward, one who makes intelligent runs etc to give Ozil a 'runner' to pick out & create mayhem for opposition defences, I think WE ALL think that's a fundamental requirement which we hope is rectified over the summer.

It's a fair point that literally building a team around 1 specific player can/will make a team predictable & one dimensional. But what I do feel quite strongly about is where a team has a player of such unique talents (incredibly accurate passing, intelligent movement etc), you play to their strengths. Inevitably you won't just get the best out of the said player, but the team will benefit.

With a couple of astute additions (a holding midfielder & pacey/classy striker), I honestly think the German could/would have an absolute field-day.

MOIST