Arsenal: Mesut Ozil absence shows why he is needed

Mesut Ozil’s absence following a reported knee injury has left Arsenal mostly impotent in the final third. Could this be a sign of things to come?

Mesut Ozil is a bit of an anomaly.

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After spending four-and-a-half seasons at the Emirates, the German has appeared to up his game, adding consistency to his drawer of innate talent and creative ability. However, speculation of playing only for a move, to much-maligned Jose Mourinho, no less, and not signing a new contract has fans on a razor’s edge.

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Before he was injured, he racked up a total of four goals and five assists, and is set to improve on last season, that is, if he doesn’t leave in the transfer window. He is the puppet master of every Arsenal attack, often instigating, coordinating and finishing their sweeping moves. His best asset, by far, is his positioning and ability to find pockets of space.

In Ozil, Arsenal have a world-class player that can turn a game on its head within a 5-10 minute space (Liverpool 3-3, anyone?), mainly with a killer pass. That is the main reason that he was brought in the first place.

Although he has been criticised in the pass for a lack of physique and effort off the ball, Ozil has proved these critics thoroughly wrong. Losing him would mean losing a former record signing and a player who, at 29, still has a couple of years at least at a top level.

Arsenal, though, have looked extremely lacklustre in the final third when he is not playing. It is perhaps a key and understated factor in Alexandre Lacazette’s goal drought. And in Ozil’s absence, the other members of the squad have failed to step up.

Jack Wilshere, for example, has contributed just one goal and two assists in the Premier League all year. He is the only player who I believe can replicate Ozil’s positioning and passing, in terms of natural ability. Couple that with his ambition and loyalty to the club, and you’ve got a quality player who can give 100% every game. But he is not quite on the elite level that Ozil is, and he cannot exactly be tasked with both providing the control of the midfield in deeper positions that Aaron Ramsey offers, as well as matching Ozil’s creative forces in more advanced zones.

Alex Iwobi is another one of those youngsters from Hale End that is set to be “wasted” under Arsene Wenger. His recent debacle and poor performance make it hard to look to him for a solution. However, a loan move might be on the cards and it would do him well to fight for his place in the first team. He looks far short of what is required to replace Ozil.

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There are not many players in the world that can match Ozil’s skillset. This is why it is integral to tie him down to a new contract. That, though, feels more like a pipe dream than a possibility. For now, the focus must be on getting him fit, because this looks like a painfully different team without him.