WHERE DO I GO FROM HERE?
From World Cup winner to a bit-part Arsenal player, Ozil is at the crossroads of a once glorious career
MESUT OZIL arrived as the world-class superstar signed to take Arsenal to the next level.
Four years on, he has been left in limbo after being caught in a contract stalemate which just about sums up his Arsenal career.
Ozil, 29 tomorrow, wants a new deal worth £350,000-aweek, The club has baulked at his demands and no one else has made an offer.
The Germany midfielder, signed for a then club record £42.5million, is out of contract at the end of the season, Arsenal fans are divided over him and even Arsene Wenger appears to be losing faith.
Boss Wenger has defended him to the hilt but Ozil is no longer a guaranteed starter which is a reflection of the uncertainty surrounding his future. Ozil was a late substitute against West Brom last month, did not travel to BATE Borisov in the Europa League three days later and was then keen to post pictures of himself recovering in the gym. Arsenal looked better without him in their hardfought draw at Chelsea, with accusations growing he has become an expensive luxury player and sometimes a passenger in away games. It has led to the suspicion the tables have been turned on Ozil over his new contract because his agent is making noises he wants to stay after not attracting the same sort of offers as Alexis Sanchez. Fit-again Ozil is likely to start at Watford because Sanchez was left mentally and physically exhausted after Chile’s World Cup exit and a long trip back from South America.
But there is a feeling that even Wenger, who has championed the midfielder for so long, has grown frustrated at Ozil not being able to produce the world class performances that he delivers on a regular basis for Germany.
Even Wenger’s manner when talking about Ozil has changed.
Once super-defensive and offended when the German was criticised, now he is just philosophical. Simply, the player has not delivered consistently.
Wenger said: “Of course he is important. But I have many players – we have spoken about Jack Wilshere, Alex Iwobi.
“They are all players who play in this similar position and it is
very interesting because it gives me a lot of opportunities to keep them all focused and refreshed.
“You need players who have quality and Ozil is one of the best players in the world. “He is working hard now, he is only one week back in training, since Monday he has joined in. He has worked hard. He will come back.”
But is he now chasing a deal with Arsenal after failing to find another club to pay him top dollar?
“You should ask him that question,” said Wenger. “I cannot tell you what is really in his mind. I think he wants to stay.
“Have we had interested offers for him? I wouldn’t disclose that.” The clamour to keep Ozil is not the same as it is for Sanchez.
Especially as Wenger claims Wilshere is on his way back.
And at his best, Wilshere combines technique with desire, which has always been the question mark over Ozil.
Referring to the Europa League, Wenger added: “If the competition was less ferocious, Wilshere is ready to play. I wouldn’t be scared to play him.
“In the Premier League he can play, he is nearly back to his best. His strength is to turn the game forward and have acceleration individually or with the ball.
“Sometimes when he accelerates he pushes the ball too far and gets confronted.
“I was interested because I watched him when he played against Barcelona, or when he was 17 or 18. You saw he had that turn to take the game forward and give that little burst which makes the difference.”