Arsenal Vs Hull City: Mesut Ozil’s Worth Plummeting Down The Drain

In a week in which Martin Keown slated Mesut Ozil for being an ‘expensive luxury’ and players are unhappy that he hasn’t been dropped, his value is falling.

The aftermath of Arsenal’s loss to Chelsea has been incredibly negative. Few positives came out from either the 2-1 loss to Watford just a few days beforehand or the title-ending demolition on Saturday and the media since then has reflected that.

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Most poignantly, Mesut Ozil has come under severe criticism for his wholly anonymous display against the league leaders. Former Gooner Martin Keown, in his weekly Daily Mail column, unleashed a scathing attack on the German. This is what he had to say:

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"“After Saturday’s defeat by Chelsea, it was interesting that Wenger said that senior players did not perform  Ozil becomes an expensive luxury when you are out of possession. Ozil would not get in [the Invincible’s team]. It would be a choice between Ozil and Dennis Bergkamp. Dennis played in the same position but he would start higher up the pitch and then drop.  Ozil starts deep and you don’t know when he is coming or going. We saw it against Chelsea — Sanchez is saying, ‘Come on’ but Ozil does not really want to go and press.”"

Those are explosive comments but they are fair ones. Dennis Bergkamp is far more diligently defensive and if Ozil is playing poorly offensively, unable to unpick opposing defences, then his usefulness in the side falls significantly.

Moreover, in the same week that Ozil has been heavily criticised by sections of the fans and the media, internally, there are reports that Arsene Wenger is being questioned by some of his players – it is most likely to be Laurent Koscielny given his post-match quotes doubting the team selection of his manager – as to why he has not yet dropped the attacking midfielder, seemingly protecting his starting role no matter his form.

This is a crucial period for Ozil. His contract is quickly winding down and, at 28, he likely has one more major move left in his career. Arsenal should try to keep hold of their primary creator. Despite the recent issues, he is still a fabulous player.

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Nonetheless, the eye-watering wage demands that have been reported, if true, should not be matched. Ozil has continually struggled in the big games, fails to offer diligent defensive work and is now finding his value plummet. He is an ‘expensive luxury’ that Arsenal may not be able to afford.