Arsenal: Mesut Ozil setting the table for post-Alexis feast

Arsenal have been bathing in the magnificent form of Mesut Ozil, who has been masterfully bridging the gap between Alexis Sanchez and whoever comes next.

Arsenal banked on Alexis Sanchez and Mesut Ozil to power their team into the modern era. Late to the party, the Gunners had only just started spending big money for big players and the idea was that Alexis and Ozil were the start of a new chapter in the historic club’s history.

As that era winds to an assumed close, the club has collected a few FA Cup trophies and a second place finish. It’s not the storm of silverware that was supposed to ensue, but it’s not exactly Tottenham. Or Liverpool.

That said, the era is coming to a close, barring an unfathomable turnaround by the Chilean, who is now not only frustrated with the status of the team, but is growing in frustration with his own play. Four goals and three assists is far from a catastrophic beginning to the season and anyone that has watched Alexis knows that he is always a fraction away from turning it all around.

Those four goals place him tied for second on the team, his three assists place him tied for fourth. Which would sound like he is just a solid contributor to the team, but we know that isn’t the case. Alexis wants to be then superstar. That’s why he came here.

Alexis was a solid contributor for Barcelona and he wanted out.

However, in his mediocrity has risen the exquisite new form of Mesut Ozil. Who, buoyed by the rumors of an impending new deal, looks ready to carry on the legacy beyond his Chilean counterpart’s exit.

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Which should be massively exciting. Alexis used to be the pack mule, but if Ozil is now carrying the team and bound to stay, then the German is essentially setting up a feast for whoever comes in to replace Alexis.

The two formed such a wonderful partnership in their time here, and it’s well known that an in-form Ozil is the greatest team mate a man can have.

Meaning that when shopping for Alexis replacements, Arsenal can use the selling point of “you will be eating at the same table as Ozil.”

I don’t know many players that wouldn’t want that. He helped make Karim Benzema. He assisted Ronaldo. Ozil is the ideal team mate, always sacrificing his own glamour to set up someone else. And, now that we see he doesn’t need Alexis to survive, we can go confidently knowing that whoever does come in the Chilean’s stead will no be a life or death decision.

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I always say that I love when a player proves me wrong. Ozil is in the process of proving me wrong. If he can play like this for the rest of the season, this high-impact play, then what can be said bad about him?

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