Injuries are a tough pill to swallow for any team, and Arsenal need no reminding of this. At the moment, five first-team players are out (not counting Walcott, Giroud and Sanogo who just returned) including record signing Mesut Ozil who suffered partial ligament damage against Chelsea on October 5th.

Arsenal have struggled to close out matches recently and have seen their form and results revert to its spluttering early season form. It is difficult to pinpoint the cause of these struggles.

Are Arsenal missing their main man? His absence is certainly not the reason Arsenal’s form has decreased recently but he is undoubtedly a big miss nonetheless. As we all know, his form has been less than stellar, and some would even make the argument that the team performs better without the Germany play maker.

I don’t exactly share these sentiments for the simple fact that Ozil only needs a moment to turn a game on its head. Form is temporary, class is permanent. On form or not, Ozil can and will be Arsenal’s ‘X-factor’.

From a statistical standpoint, no, Arsenal is not missing Ozil. He has just one assist in the league so far and the number of chances created by Arsenal has not decreased since his departure.

His intangible effect, however, is unmeasurable and his influence in the locker room and on the pitch cannot be understated.

He absolutely galvanised the squad when he arrived last summer and the lads sure could use a lift right now as well. For that reason, yes, Arsenal do sorely miss Ozil just as any team would miss their best player.

The onus is on Ozil now to fulfill his role as best player. His teamates believe in him and so us Gooners.

Click below to see Arsenal’s latest signing…