Arsenal Vs Huddersfield: Dear God, I can’t give Mesut Ozil up

Mesut Ozil was at is sumptuous best in Arsenal’s five-goal dismantling of Huddersfield Town. Dear Lord, I just can’t give the genius German up.

I have always been a Mesut Ozil supporter. Even in is trying times in recent years, I was one who saw his elegance and his influence when others were pointing to his lethargy and laziness. There was a no clear definition of his importance. His quality was undoubted. But his contribution was certainly something that many questioned.

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But earlier this season, I wrote this piece. It came in the aftermath of the loss to Watford. Ozil had been introduced in the second half to miss a gilt-edged opportunity, before suffering a loose touch that led directly to the last-minute, Tom Cleverly winner. It was one of the more painful performances to watch.

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In it, I detailed my growing tired of the German. His meandering, his disinterest, his apparent unwillingness to work. It was a stance that was becoming increasingly universal among Arsenal fans. This was a player who clearly did not want to be at the club, felt little for the fortunes on the pitch, lacked any semblance of character or fight, and was more than happy to see the ship sink. I had grown tired of Mesut Ozil.

And now, just a month later, after already jumping off the bandwagon, in true fickle fashion, I right back on it again, front and centre, driving the train to celebration station. And it’s all because of two brilliant games of football from one outstandingly gifted player.

Ozil has always been a talented footballer. Even in his darkest days, his most vehement critics would not have doubted that. It was not his ability that was frustrating. In fact, it was the very presence of his ability that made him so frustrating. No one doubted that he could do it. It was a question of whether he wanted to do it. Was he willing to commit himself to the cause?

And in Arsenal’s last two wins that the German has featured — a 2-0 North London derby win; the 5-0 dismantling of Huddersfield Town on Wednesday night –, I am happy to report, that Ozil looked like a man wholly pledged to the club.

It was not just his elegant beauty on the ball, although in a blistering 3-minute-58-second spell in the second half, it was truly breathtaking to watch, it was simple things like tracking back on Christian Eriksen to win the ball back, like pressuring Martin Cranie to force an errant pass so that his team could recover possession, like darting down the inside-right channel to create space for others in central areas. Not only has Ozil been at the best of his ability, but he has been at the best of his will, and that might be even more important.

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After taking a brief hiatus with my Ozil admiration, I am now, once again, infatuated with the German. So help me God, I just can’t give Mesut Ozil up.