Arsenal: Furious Arsene Wenger Right To Sell Mesut Ozil

Arsene Wenger is reportedly furious with Mesut Ozil after he was hesitant to play in Arsenal’s loss to West Brom. He would be within his rights to sell him.

The weekend’s loss to West Brom has brought about much debate and uncertainty. Entering the game having just won three of their last eight games – a home league game against Hull City and two non-league opposition in the FA Cup – Arsenal were in need of a win thanks to their ever dwindling top four hopes.

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And yet, Arsene Wenger’s side proceeded to put in one of their most lethargic and apathetic performances of the season, conceding two simple goals from corner kicks in worryingly identical style, and creating very little to cheer about – just two shots on target in the 90 minutes.

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While much of the attention in the aftermath of the insipid loss has centred on Wenger’s uncertain future and the Gunners’ defensive woes, there was another growing narrative that will perhaps come to dominate the news furore as the summer approaches. Mesut Ozil was once again mysteriously left out of the starting lineup after completing a training session on the Friday immediately before.

It is another example of Ozil unexpectedly missing games, adding to the strange absence in the loss to Liverpool and the subsequent Bayern game, with Wenger blaming it on an ‘illness’. After another absence, though, and with the German’s contract quickly winding down, he has just 12 months remaining from the end of the season, significant rumours are linking him with a move away.

Those rumours have been ignited in recent days by the suggestion that Wenger has grown increasingly frustrated with Ozil and his apparent lack of work ethic and unwillingness to push his body to play when needed. As such, it is now thought that Wenger may well be one who attempts to instigate a sale, rather than prohibit it as previously expected.

It would be a fair estimation of Wenger to want to sell Ozil in the summer. His performances have tailed off badly, especially in recent months, his attitude has been called into question and now Wenger has seemingly grown tiresome of his presence in the squad.

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Would a replacement be needed if Ozil did indeed depart? Absolutely. While he may be lethargic and lax when on the pitch, he still boasts exquisite quality that is difficult to find elsewhere. But that does not make him irreplaceable and does not mean that Wenger is not justified in selling one of his very best players.