I left JA 2 years ago, due to the disintegration of proper football discussion, but luckily it looks like the damage was only temporary and it's all still intact here
Mesut Ozil is one of my favourite players, he was the one player that I willed us to sign after the 2010 World Cup, and I was overjoyed when we signed him pretty much from thin air. And though like many Gooners I was slightly underwhelmed by his performance last season, I can see him playing a much bigger role in this campaign.
Firstly, he'll have better players around him. Ozil is a team player; he regularly looks to feed teammates rather than score, to the extent that he has claimed he enjoys providing assists more. Last season he formed an excellent partnership with Ramsey in the midfield, and it was no coincidence that his form dipped in the abscence of our Welsh wizard. Likewise, Walcott was the most fective outlet for his incisive through-balls, and without him, we lacked the pace to capitalise on Ozil's creativity. This season, with the likes of Walcott and Ox hopefully keeping relatively fit, not to mention the pace and dynamism of our new boy Alexis , he should have a plethora of options running beyond him, and any creative midfielder works best when there is movement ahead of him. Think of Cesc, whose best moments of creativity in an Arsenal shirt often stemmed from the pace of Walcott or clever movement of RVP ahead of him - when neither played, he was considerably less effective.
I have seen a lot of people criticising Ozil's body language, and his perceived 'laziness' and 'apathy'. These people are missing the point - whilst I would like Ozil to be a chest-beating, die-hard Gooner, he is not a Jenkinson or a Mertesacker, he is a creative midfielder who oozes class and therefore doesn't have to strain himself to produce results. In fact, I think, in contrast to what many said, I think he produced some of his most effective performances when he was allowed to glide through games just being great at football, rather than when he was under pressure to work hard - he is a player who needs unshackling. I would point to the Bayern game at home - one of his most ineffective, yet he also put a big shift in, running more than any other outfield player for Arsenal - he was compensating for his ineffective display and penalty miss.
I think he gets a lot of criticism, some of which is fair - he does need to step up his game, and especially improve his goal output - his finishing was a little feeble at times last season. He also needs to show he has adapted to the physical side of the game here - which he struggled with at times last season. But, like it or not, he not only produced decent stats directly, but he also gave the team a massive confidence boost just by being around. I imagine the presence of a genuine world class player also helped attract Alexis, not to mention the probably arrving Sami Khedira.
The fact is he is one of the most elegant and classiest players in the world, and we are lucky to be able to watch him play most weeks. I expect him to be our player of the year this campaign.
Expecting big things from Mesut next season
posted on 16/7/14
I'm not sure he'll improve massively. He'll be knackered from the WC, won't get a proper pre-season and probably miss the first few games. Happened with Cesc, to an extent, after the 2010 WC and Mesut isn't that naturally fit. Hopefully I'm wrong.
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But I think Sanchez's arrival will hopefully take away some of the scrutiny. Ramsey's injury meant that he was only able to pitch in so much, Cazorla's contribution wasn't really that explicit in terms of goals and assists, and Podolski only had, I think, two assists all season. There were only about three players throughout the season who were able to contribute creatively, and for Ozil to be pushed into that crucial role in his first season, when he was still adapting, was a lot to ask. Sanchez should fare better, as I think he's built for Premier League.
posted on 16/7/14
Kroos ain't that good behind the striker. Too slow and immobile.
As for Ozil. With the pace we'll be having in the team he'll be killing it next year. Along with Sanchez taking the limelight off him.
posted on 16/7/14
Im surprised that Kross is actually only 24
I swear hes been around forever!!!
Was he part of their victorious U21 squad in 2009?!?!
I guess not cos his age.
posted on 16/7/14
Kppr beat me to it. Great minds think alike, eh?
posted on 16/7/14
When evra scored that blockbuster of a goal I thought this is our year
Anyway we are not lacking in creativity, SAF last season we were goal crazy in champions league and premier league.
posted on 16/7/14
Good to see you back buddy, you've always been a good poster shame certain users have ruined this site.
posted on 16/7/14
He probably needs some work with a psychologist cos his confidence looks shot, tbh. Not just for Arsenal. He once stood above everyone for the German side, but he's now just a cog in the wheel. If Reus had come to this World Cup, there's a huge likelihood Ozil would have been benched. However many claim otherwise, Ozil IS operating far from expected levels for club and country and he's become an easy target. Sure, the criticism is often unfair but has does have plenty of foundation. It doesn't help that when he's not playing well, his body language doesn't portray someone that's trying as hard as he can.
He has to work so much harder.
posted on 16/7/14
I really rate Ozil but I'm not confident on him next season due to no pre season this season. He'll miss the Community Shield and really think this won't have helped his cause.
posted on 16/7/14
People have been underrating Ozil, I think he will be a lot better this season. He's so classy on the ball and is an assist machine. A better striker in front of him and you'd be laughing
Sanchez will be like another Aguero, but will he play on the right or up front?
posted on 16/7/14
Ozil is a floater always has been always will, but that mainly down to systems.
When playing for a counter attacking team l have always thought that it didn't really suit him. I think he would be much better playing for a team that plays a bit more possession stuff.
Kinda like Messi he is the sort of player who thrives on getting constant touches of the ball. You can't expect something to happen everytime, but you know something can happen everytime he gets the ball. The more gets it the more likely he is to do something.