Arsenal: Paul Merson Mesut Ozil is both right and wrong

Paul Merson has warned Mesut Ozil that he may not get back in the Arsenal team. While I disagree with that statement, his reasoning for thinking so is spot on.

Mesut Ozil has missed the last couple of weeks of action with a knee inflammation issue. In the Premier League games that he has not started — Chelsea, West Brom and Brighton –, Arsenal are unbeaten, winning two of them, scoring four goals and, crucially, conceding none, including an especially combative and industrious display at Stamford Bridge.

Related Story: Arsenal: 3 players who must improve soon

It is fair to say that Ozil’s absence, especially in that draw with Chelsea, has benefitted the Gunners. And the success that has been enjoyed without the German has led to some suggesting that Arsene Wenger may be better continuing without him.

More from Pain in the Arsenal

• 3 observations from Arsenal’s victory at Goodison Park
• 3 standout players from 1-0 victory over Everton
• 3 positives & negatives from Goodison Park victory
• Arsenal vs PSV preview: Prediction, team news & lineups
• 3 talking points from Arsenal’s victory at Goodison Park

Former Arsenal midfielder, Paul Merson, was asked on TalkSport whether he felt Ozil may be facing an uphill battle to force his way back into Wenger’s starting line-up. This is what he had to say in full:

"“Yeah, I do. You look at any world class player in the world we’ve seen over the last 15 or 20 years – you know one thing they do? They work hard. They’ve got the class, they’ve got the skill, they’ve got everything, but they work hard at the same time – that’s what makes them world class. Ozil doesn’t do that part of the game, and if you don’t do that you can’t play in this day and age.  These players worked hard for the team. The penny has got to drop with Ozil, you can’t just play when you’re on the ball.”"

Merson’s reasoning is spot on. Ozil, I believe, is a world-class player, whatever that actually means in today’s world. But he does not work hard enough on the pitch. Although he may often top the distance charts, they are inflated because of his movement when Arsenal are in possession.

Ozil is always on the move, never standing still, relentlessly looking for those pockets of space in between the midfield and the defence. It is a part of why he is such a dangerous, potent, and creative attacker. But it does not mean that he works hard, especially in his defending. Simply put, he doesn’t.

He does not track runs, he does not press high up the pitch, he is not attentive to danger, he does not drop in and make the midfield tight and compact. He does not work hard enough when defending. But while Merson may be right about that, I believe that he is wrong when he states that Ozil will struggle to work his way into the team.

Next: Arsenal: 3 players who have stepped up to the plate

Ozil is a Wenger player. He has the skills and the abilities that Wenger adores, and as long as he is fit and available, he will start, no matter the form of the team without him. Right or wrong, that is just how it is, and Wenger will not be changing anytime soon.