Arsenal: Mesut Ozil absence concerning but not decimating

Mesut Ozil is again enjoying somewhat peculiar absences. They are undoubtedly concerning, but that does not mean his utility to Arsenal has been decimated.

Mesut Ozil is a curious case indeed. He is a wonderfully, uniquely gifted player, unlike any in the Arsenal squad. And yet, his production does not match his ability, especially when it matters most, in the big games, when the pressure’s on, when the time to win is now.

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His commitment has also been called into question. It started with his languid body language. His playing style is a little lethargic, ever so slightly disinterested, only to then burst into life with a slicing through-pass from almost nowhere. But now it has progressed to his peculiar injury record.

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Ozil has missed several games this season with apparent ‘illnesses’, has not shown the gritty desire that fans always pine for against the big games, and took a bumper new, £350,000-a-week contract in January, which only adds to the thinking that he is in it for the money.

And then, after a quieter performance against Atletico Madrid in the second leg of the Europa League semi-final on Thursday night, the German came in for some quite harsh and perhaps undeserved criticism. In that game alone, he was not as anonymous as some would have you believe. But many fans and some pundits, namely Martin Keown, questioned his commitment to the club and his winning attitude. Those questions only intensified when Ozil then mysteriously missed the weekend’s match against Burnley. Thankfully, Arsene Wenger had an answer, and also made a comment on the media coverage of his most prized possession:

"“He was in yesterday [Monday] for treatment and he still has a back problem. Even at half-time in Madrid, he had that problem. I think it’s highly unlikely that he will play again before the end of the season because he doesn’t train. Football players [do not choose when to play]. I can understand that because you [the media] are all positive spirits who see everything negatively, but when he’s injured, he’s injured.”"

Now, I am not here to question Wenger’s testimony of Ozil’s injury. But there is certainly a question to be asked regarding his commitment to the club. The frequency of his absences, the randomness of them, allied with his almost bored body language does not suggest that he is especially attentive or that he cares. And that is all that a fan can ask for. A player’s effort, their level best.

However, the vilification that he has received, especially from Keown and the more vociferous portions of the fanbase, is not deserved or justified. Yes, Ozil’s absences are concerning and need answering. But that does not mean that they are reason to suggest that he should be sold or relegated out of the starting XI.

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It is possible to hold that Ozil is both a problem and solution. He needs to be questioned and improved, but he is also needed himself.