Arsenal: Fighting Mesut Ozil shows side people want to ignore

In a rather long-winded Instagram post, Mesut Ozil has celebrated his time at Arsenal and challenged his critics. This fighting side to his character is one that people want to ignore.

Mesut Ozil is a very easy scapegoat. His ‘languid style’, as he has most frequently been described as, his laziness, which even his staunchest supporters — I am, probably, one of them — cannot deny, and his seeming lack of desire all attribute to this rather easy vitriol against him.

For all of his creative endeavours, his leading the Premier League in assists, chances created and key passes since entering English football in 2013, and his infecting, inspiring, controlling influence on games that has seen Arsenal to victory after victory, it is his weaknesses that people, fans, the media, pundits and former players, choose to zero in on.

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But now, celebrating his fourth anniversary with the club, Ozil has had his say on those ever-growing and ever-loudening critics. In a rather long-winded statement on his Instagram and Facebook, Ozil thanked the fans, the club and Arsene Wenger for his last four years in North London, while also taking aim at the vilification that he has received throughout his time. You can see the full statement by clicking on the above piece. But here is the section that I felt most significant:

"“Personally I’ve had to accept a lot of criticism during my time in London. ‘Too expensive, too greedy, bad body language, and lacking fight’ – this is what people have said about me. Some of these comments are made by those who do not know me, some are made by former players – both successful and unsuccessful during their time here at the club. Even though I personally do not know how my career will continue after this year, I look forward to my fifth season with Arsenal. This is because Arsenal is a great club with great people and great traditions. I am glad to be able to wear your shirt, Gooners.”"

It is very easy to say such things on social media, behind the protection of a phone and distance. As I have been criticising Arsenal the club for failing to vindicate their words with their actions, the very same argument could be made against Ozil. These are, after all, just words; they mean little in and of themselves.

But that would be the easy assessment. In a time of lazy journalism and analysis — I am often a cheap culprit for it –, it is far too simple to follow the crowd, a crowd that is currently charging Ozil with failure to care or to fight.

This statement, though, shows a fighting side to his character that most would choose, either out of complacency, ignorance or ease, to ignore. Ozil is, if the worst of his critics were to be believed, the epitome of all that is wrong with the club. He has some flaws, certainly. But there are far more virtues than vices to his presence. His creativity clouds his apathy; his incisive passing overcomes his lethargic, uninterested tracking; his orchestrating, his prodding and his probing of the opposition, serve a far greater resource than his often inconsistent finishing is a detriment.

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This piece is to do delineate a player without fault. Ozil is human, after all. But it is wrong to say that he does not care just because his body language may hint that and the stands may shout that. Ozil is a competitive person. He wants to win, even if it is a side of his character that is ignored more than it is recognised.

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