Arsenal: No need to overthink Mesut Ozil replacement

Arsenal nation is trying to figure out the best possible player to replace Mesut Ozil should he leave, but there really isn’t any reason to overthink this decision.

All of a sudden, the most divisive player in the Arsenal world is Mesut Ozil. Not Olivier Giroud or Aaron Ramsey or anyone like that. The German maestro’s situation at the club is forcing people to take sides over whether he leaves or stays and there simply isn’t any middle ground You either love him and think he is the essence of the club or you think he’s replaceable.

I fall in the latter camp. Again, not because I think he’s a poor player, I just think Arsenal could benefit from a change in direction. Away from the magical passing and towards effort and athleticism.

The conversation is swarming over who is a capable replacement for Ozil, as it should be. It’s looking like only a matter of time before he leaves, given the lack of any sort of new deal.

So who can replace Ozil?

Well, let’s not overthink this. And I mean it. Because in case you haven’t noticed, the Gunners are doing just fine without him. I don’t think we need to look for an overpriced, elite, world class showstopper to replace him.

There are a whole slew of names that I believe would do the trick. Because “the trick” simply entails being a consistent player, something Ozil was not always necessarily capable of claiming. Someone who can consistently create chances, cover ground and threaten the goal.

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That’s it.

Emil Forsberg. Thomas Lemar. Julian Draxler. Leon Goretzka. All of these guys are more than capable of following up the German, whatever his legacy may end up being.

Conveniently, we have a whole spectrum of price tags here, from free (Goretzka) to £100m or so (Lemar). Meaning that no matter what happens with either him or Alexis, whether they leave for free in the summer or if we can fetch some sort of return in January, there will be options available that are more an capable of doing the work required to be an Arsenal starter.

And, if all else fails, Alex Iwobi has filled in well and Jack Wilshere is back. More free options.

Replacing these two is not going to be expensive. It’s just a matter of club direction. If you want the economical plan, go for Goretzka and Wilshere. There is so much effort there and talent embedded within. If you are all about seeing price tags dictate the future, Draxler and Lemar is a pretty like-for-like swap that keeps us on pace with what we currently have.

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This isn’t a stressful situation. No matter what the outcome, life goes on with numerous potential direction. This had nothing to do with not appreciating who he is as an athlete (and an artist). It’s all about what’s best for the club.

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