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Mesut Ozil has recently announced he is nearly ready to return to first team action, but you would be hard pressed to find evidence to support his immediate inclusion back into the XI. Ozil hasn’t been at his sparkling best lately, and some would even go as far as to say Arsenal has looked better with him out of the side.
A part of this of course is due to the man who replaced him as number ten, little Santi Cazorla. The Spaniard has been sensational as of late. Although it took three goals in his last two matches to brake a previous 29 game scoring duct (from open play), he has pulled the strings for Arsenal and has been one of the squad’s best and most consistent performers this season.
He has arguably done enough to keep his place, and Ozil should be wary when returning.
Keeping Ozil out in the long run was never really an option, but Santi has done enough to at least suggest that Ozil should have a hard time walking back into the XI immediately.
Mesut should be concerned with his own performances let alone the play of Cazorla. He still hasn’t seemed to really find his feet in the top flight and often looks overwhelmed and overrun. He won’t be happy with that and will be looking to put that right for his own sake. Cazorla’s good form just so happens to come at a time when Ozil is soon to return and serves as an added incentive and warning sign.
Funny enough, with Wilshere, Ramsey, and Arteta still out, there will most likely be room in the team for them both when Ozil returns. However, when the time comes to make a decision between the two, my gut tells me Ozil will be the man going forward.
This is the part where you the reader says; how can you say that? He hasn’t even played since October, besides he hasn’t exactly been lighting it up when he does play!
I know, you have a valid point to which I cannot refute. I can however leave you with this- don’t let Ozil’s wavering form dilute you’re overall view of him. He is still a top, top, class footballer capable of absolute magic at any moment. He is one of the few in our side, and in world football for that matter, that can turn a match on its head at any second regardless of current form. When he find his form again, the jokes will all cease to exist.
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Ozil always looks at his best when he’s playing behind players capable of putting away the chances he creates. I think he suffered from a lack of top class finishing at Arsenal last season (although unlikely to when he returns) and also with Germany – if memory serves he created two goalscoring opportunities alone in the world cup final, although of course few will remember as both chances were missed.