Arsenal: Mesut Ozil Proves The Integral Piece Is Still Needed

Michael Ballack has stated that Mesut Ozil’s Arsenal future will depend on that of Arsene Wenger, showing that he is still an integral piece to the puzzle.

The recent struggles that Arsenal have toiled through have brought about many questions and few answers.

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The futures of many of their star players are yet to be determined, the infrastructure of the club behind the scenes is in a state of flux thanks to the negligence of Silent Stan, while there is still a decision to be made regarding the prospects of the man who has been the entrenched foundation of everything that has taken place in North London throughout the past two decades.

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Whether Arsene Wenger should stay or go is a question that has divided the fanbase. It is also one that is hotly debated within the media. As is the future of Mesut Ozil, the star of Arsenal throughout recent years. Michael Ballack is the latest to have his say on the future of the two. When asked about whether he believes Ozil will stay at the Emirates beyond this summer, he couldn’t help but tie it to that of Wenger’s:

"“It is difficult to say really. A player like him, who has played for Real Madrid and now Arsenal and who knows the Premier League and La Liga, he has his own feeling and experience. And there are not many clubs where he can go now and who can afford him. I think he needs to feel comfortable with the decision that he makes. But it also depends on what Arsene Wenger does and they have a good relationship and maybe that is why he is waiting a bit.”"

It is clear that the future of Arsenal football club and many of their major parts are richly and deeply entwined to that of Wenger’s. That is to be expected, given the nature of how the organisation has been run and the ever-present nature of his management style.

However, there is coming a time where Wenger will no longer be in North London. Some argue that that time should come at the end of the season. Others, like myself, believe that there is the need for a period of transition. Wenger is still an integral aspect of the day-to-day running.

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To change such a crucial piece of the jigsaw swiftly would have long-lasting ramifications. Such a significant modification must be made gradually, not suddenly. As Ballack points out with Ozil, Wenger is still extremely important to the running of this football club and, subsequently, is still needed moving forwards.