Arsenal: ‘Problematic’ Mesut Ozil first needs a clear problem

Arsenal are yet again being rocked by the possibility that Mesut Ozil is a problem player, but before we debate this, we first have to understand what the problem is.

Arsenal have been here before. Mesut Ozil is under-performing, he is disappearing (literally) and people are asking questions about him – as well they should. If it happens as often as this, unfortunately, it is our job as fans to ask questions that we really don’t want to have to ask.

Of course, that’s what Martin Keown did and Ozil’s agent went on a fiery, and wholly unnecessary, tirade ripping the former Arsenal man to shreds. Keown had questioned Ozil’s determination and whether or not he was fit to wear the shirt after he failed to amount to much against Atletico Madrid and was then ruled out for the season with a back injury.

Many, many more were right there with Keown, asking questions. Even now, there are calls to fix “problematic” Mesut Ozil.

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That’s well and good, but first we have to understand what the problem is, because, and I could be wrong, but no one actually does. It seemed like he was leaving, then he signed a massive new deal making him the highest paid Arsenal player ever. And now what? Now we are back where we started, but we’re just paying him more?

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That doesn’t jive. Ozil’s ‘problem’ has typically been chalked up to a lack of desire or passion. His body language has been called into question, his sporadic disappearances (when he’s on the pitch) have been a point of concern and, this year in particular, his random, unexplained and seemingly sudden absences have been a major problem.

According to Ozil’s agent – the guy who gets paid to represent him – it’s been a season-long back injury that I guess no one else knew about except the agent and Ozil. Which seems fishy, no?

But the opposite seems fishy too – that he just doesn’t want to be here. After all, why would he sign a new deal with this club just to settle in and coast? Ozil is a competitor who wants to win things, and if he wasn’t satisfied with the club, he’d have taken his leave and never looked back.

It’s not greed. Ozil has proven time and again that he is so far from being a greedy player, both on the pitch and in terms of his own personal funds.

Again, I ask – what is the problem? Is it that he doesn’t want to step up when the struggle is on? I could see that. If it’s just part of who he is, then what can be done? There’s no fixing that problem, because it isn’t in his DNA to change.

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If that’s the case, then sell him or accept him. Because there isn’t another option.