This post is brought to you by gaambler.com, your home for gambling news.
The German midfielder divides opinion amongst Die Mannschaft and Arsenal supporters but does he warrant such notoriety.
Claude Makalele’s transfer to Chelsea broke down Real Madrid’s engine. And it was Mesut Ozil’s unnecessary ousting from the Santiago Bernabeu that ended their La Liga hopes. Just like the departure of the French midfield general, the German’s exit would be rued years later.
Arsenal were fortunate to get Ozil from Real Madrid. The Gelsenkirchen native elevated them and was vital to their successive FA Cup triumphs. He forged a devastating partnership with another La Liga reject, Alexis Sanchez, and the two terrorized defenses in English top flight football.
For Germany, he has been equally important. He overshadowed Michael Ballack, the hero of 2002 World Cup. Even the instrumental Bastian Schweinsteiger paled in comparison. The Bayern midfield general secured Euro 2008 and 2010 FIFA World Cup third places, but it was Ozil who delivered the 2014 World Cup.
There are very few players who have the same technical ability like Ozil but he always seems to catch flak. Always on the wrong end of the stick. Every great moment is followed by periods where he berated. Some justified, some completely unfounded.
On-field antics
Before we get into his off-field antics and the recent pay-cut fiasco, it is pertinent to discuss critiques of his playing style. Uninterested, languid, timid, and many other synonyms related to poor work rate are associated with Ozil. Many claim he is a luxury, one that Arsenal, Real Madrid or Germany could afford. And all of this is said after he was on of the best players in their respective dressing room.
While Kaka had failed and Karim Benzema was trying to find his footing, Ozil was pivotal for Real Madrid. Xavi And Iniesta were praised for their vision and technical ability from midfield, but it was the German who was racking up assists after assists.
At Arsenal, he broke the record for fastest to 50 assists. Kevin de Bruyne has challenged that record at Manchester City, a team of world class players. Ozil did not have that luxury at the Emirates Stadium.
He did not have a peer in German colors, winning the Germany national team Player of the Year five times in six years from 2011 to 2016. While others come and struggled for Die Mannschaft, Ozil was consistently their best player.
Not until the German national team’s horror showing in Russia, did his playing style come under question. He was singled out for collective failure. At Arsenal, it was his £350,000 per week wages that caught attention.
Off-field antics
And this brings us to the real reason why Ozil, the midfield maestro with a genius touch, is heralded as the devil. Both for Germany and now at Arsenal.
Closeness to Turkish President, Tayyip Erdogan has cost Ozil dearly in the German heartland. He got called out for political reasons and his allegiance was challenged. Moreover, he was made the scapegoat for Germany’s failures. Had he kept quiet and taken the whole situation in stride, the situation could have been handled.
Elsewhere in England, his top draw salary was an issue. Blame of failure to extend Aaron Ramsey’s was somehow also put on his shoulders. Josh Kroenke’s comments on the Gunners wage bill and veiled remarks about Ozil did not help. Ozil was smeared in North London for reasons other than footballing.
He was still the same player as he was before. The playing style had not changed. Only injuries had had a minor impact but he gave strong showings afterwards. The salary he gets was justified and there is no need to question it. Arsenal’s poor performance in the transfer market is why they lag on the pitch. They have poured millions to strengthen their forward line-up, all the while their defensive has been reinforced by panic buys.
Ozil has kept quiet and done what he feels is right. He questioned his treatment in the aftermath of Germany’s ousting from 2018 FIFA World Cup. And he raised objections about getting a pay-cut. Toni Kroos had made similar statements a couple of weeks ago but it was Ozil’s refusal that got the English footballing circles in a frenzy.
Like him or loathe him, Ozil has begun conversations on topics that are considered taboo. The racist abuse hurled at him in German circles or why players should agree to arbitrary wage-cuts without proper information. Needless to say, his decisions off the field have had an impact on how he is portrayed. Not as the midfield genius he is, but a sulking selfish figure both on and off the pitch.