Mesut Özil has had a tough 12 months. Arsenal failing to qualify for the Champions League for the second successive season led to the departure of Arsene Wenger, a man for whom Özil has immense respect. His commitment to the German National team has been questioned after presenting a signed shirt to Turkish president Erdogan and he has been made the scapegoat for Germany’s group stage elimination from the World Cup. The man once regarded as the best number 10 in the world has become an afterthought in that discussion as younger players like De Bruyne, Isco and Coutinho have taken centre stage leaving many wondering what has happened to Arsenal’s playmaker. Here’s a look at what’s gone wrong and how new Arsenal manager Unai Emery could be the catalyst for Özil’s revival:
Mesut Özil’s stock has undoubtedly fallen over the last two years. Perhaps the biggest symbol of his dip in performance is the fact that he didn’t appear to have any strong suitors during the last year of his contract while his teammate Alexis Sanchez was courted by Bayern Munich, Manchester City and Manchester United at various points in his final 6 months at the club, ending up at the latter.
The 2017/18 season was very much a tale of two halves for Özil. He started the season with the cloud of his expiring contract hanging over his head. And many people argued that he should’ve been sold in the summer transfer window as the fact that he hadn’t signed showed that he was not committed to the club. Despite this, Özil started the season in fine form with his performance in Arsenal’s 2-0 home win over Tottenham a particular highlight. He married his vision and technique on the ball with intensity and endeavour when Arsenal did not have the ball and ended the game with an assist and the man of the match award. In the aftermath of this performance, the discussion surrounding him began to shift from disbelief that Arsenal didn’t cash in on him in the summer to suggestions that it may be in Arsenal’s best interests to break the bank to keep their playmaker-in-chief under contract. He finished the calendar year with equally impressive performances at home to Man Utd, Liverpool and Chelsea, leaving no doubt in anyone’s mind that if Arsenal were going to be competitive for the remainder of the season and in the future they would need to keep their star man.
Özil put pen to paper on his new deal at the end of January, signing a contract worth 300,000 pounds a week, and raised some eyebrows in the process. Everyone at the club was keen to move on from the contract debacle and finish the season strongly, aided by new arrivals Henrikh Mkhitaryan and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang who arrived to fill the hole left by the departing Alexis Sanchez. Unexpectedly, this would be the moment Özil’s season split in half and took a turn for the worse. Before signing his contract Özil registered 4 goals and 7 assists compared to 1 goal and 5 assists after signing. His numbers decreased, though not dramatically but it was his performances that had changed significantly. He wasn’t dominating Arsenal’s attacking game like he had been previously.
An early February 1-0 loss to Spurs at Wembley was shortly followed by back to back 3-0 defeats to Man City in the League Cup Final and the Premier League. Predictably the media questioned Özil’s commitment and argued that his new 300,000 per week wage package required him to go above and beyond the call of duty to justify Arsenal’s investment. There is some truth in this but it also represents an ongoing issue with how Özil is perceived in England. He never has and never will be the type of player to carry a dysfunctional team on his back and a new contract does not mean he will suddenly become that. Instead Özil is a player who creates for and combines with other great players. It is why his best form at Arsenal often came with Santi Cazorla behind him and Alexis Sanchez alongside him. And why his best career performances have been for Germany, where he was named player of the year 5 times in 6 years, and Real Madrid, where his departure was lamented by fans and in particular Cristiano Ronaldo who said Özil ‘knew his movements better than anyone else’. When part of a great team Özil’s tremendous quality comes to the fore. He opens up defences, supplies the ammunition for star forwards and can remain out of the spotlight, where he’d prefer to be given his more reserved nature.
As results worsened, calls for Arsene Wenger’s departure became increasingly loud amongst the Arsenal faithful. Wenger has placed his unwavering faith in Özil even when others have felt it to be unjustified and the uncertainty surrounding his future will no doubt have had an effect on Özil just as it did on the rest of the team. Their relationship was one of mutual benefit as Wenger gave Özil the trust and freedom he craved and Özil was Wenger’s creative hub on the pitch, a key element of all of Le Prof’s teams. Özil’s contract was likely signed with the expectation that Wenger would stay and the 300,000 per week outlay looks less questionable when you consider both how important a creative number 10 is to Wenger’s style of football, and how difficult it would’ve been to replace Özil with a player of similar quality.
Arsenal’s season ended with a whimper as they finished 6th in the league, 12 points off the top 4, and were knocked out in the semi-final of the Europa League by Atletico Madrid. In the aftermath of the Atletico game Özil was again criticised for not doing enough, a common theme throughout the season. A disappointing season was rounded off by the departure of Arsene Wenger as Özil was left in a lurch having just signed a new contract and looking towards a future without the man he signed it under. Arsenal appointed Unai Emery as manager and now embark on a new journey that they will need Özil to contribute to if it is going to be a successful one.
Unai Emery’s appointment represents a chance for Özil to put a disappointing year behind him. There is a renewed sense of positivity around the club and the players appear to be embracing the intensity of his approach in training. While many have argued that Emery’s more defensive approach would not suit Özil and that Emery would not be able to find a place in his team for Özil who does not contribute much defensively, this new approach could be exactly what Özil needs to reignite his Arsenal career. It should not be forgotten that Özil spent his 3 years at Real Madrid playing under Jose Mourinho who is famed for the emphasis he places on the defensive side of the game. Özil was a key player and Mourinho still found a place for him in the team even in his most defensive set ups. Often shifting Özil onto the right wing when he wanted to shore up his midfield.
There has always been a place for creative midfielders in Emery’s teams. Ever Banega was a key cog in two of Emery’s three Europa League winning Sevilla teams and his Valencia teams had David Silva, Juan Mata and Dani Parejo all playing the number 10 role at various stages. Emery’s attention to detail and ability to set up extremely organised teams, particularly defensively, could be exactly what frees Özil from being made the scapegoat for Arsenal’s fragility. A more organised midfield and defence behind him will make the fact that he “doesn’t track back” less of an issue and will allow him to focus more on creating the chances for Aubameyang and Lacazette to score.
Özil is 29, a world cup winner and being paid 300,000 a week in one of Europe’s greatest cities. He could quite easily pack it in as his wages will make it nearly impossible for Arsenal to sell him. This however would be uncharacteristic of a man who has been regarded as one of the best in his position for the last 7 years, that doesn’t happen without dedication and hard work. Emery’s methods will likely take Özil some time to adapt to given how vastly different they are to Wenger’s more relaxed approach but should he embrace them he will give himself every chance of regaining his form and the appraisal and recognition his genius undoubtedly deserves.