Arsenal vs Brighton: Mesut Ozil absence another chance at progress

Arsenal will be without Mesut Ozil yet again against Brighton & Hove Albion, but that’s okay, as the team can continue to progress.

Arsenal’s German maestro will be out for the last fixture before international break, and while some may see this as a bummer, because they want to have Alexandre Lacazette, Mesut Ozil and Alexis Sanchez on the pitch together, I see it as another fantastic opportunity.

For the longest time, the Gunners were always walking a thin line, where a single injury could derail their entire season. Getting over that is a huge step towards being a consistent performer in the Premier League.

And that means not fretting over injured stars. Or, better yet (since we all inevitably fret), not noticing that someone is missing while they are out injured.

Sounds crazy, but hear me out. When is the last time you thought about Danny Welbeck? He was our leading goal scorer and a huge part of this attack, but since Arsenal kept on winning, his absence wasn’t too keenly felt.

I would say the same about Santi Cazorla last year. I had forgotten all about him. The midfield had acclimated well together and there was no reason to sit around waiting for the Spaniard to return.

More from Pain in the Arsenal

That is what being injury-proof is all about. I don’t want to have to sit and moan and groan that “if so and so was healthy, we’d have won.” Big clubs don’t do that. And this year is starting to look like a step in the right direction, with that direction beings towards consistency.

Ozil hasn’t been missed. And I say that in all honesty. Sure, he is a great asset to have when he is clicking with the attack, but the Gunners have gone on their merry way and progressed just fine without him. It’s still not clear who is his direct underling that will step in for him, but it will probably be Alex Iwobi, who has proven to be incredibly similar.

Plus, with Jack Wilshere on the rise, I like to dream that he will be the one to step in for the German. Although with Thursday not all that long ago, I’d be shocked if that happened, not to mention incredibly worried about Wilshere’s fitness.

Next: 5 Game-Changing Free Transfers Potentially Available In 2018

Whatever Arsene Wenger decides to do, I’m not worried. And when we walk away with another win without Mesut Ozil, no one will be wondering what might have happened if Ozil had been out there. And that’s the goal.