Arsenal: Pissing off Mesut Ozil may serve bigger purpose

Unai Emery royally pissed off Mesut Ozil when the German was subbed off against Crystal Palace, but that may serve a bigger purpose for Arsenal.

Arsenal‘s draw against Crystal Palace had a ton of “big picture” storylines, ranging from the fact that it was a draw at all, to the double penalties, to Granit Xhaka playing left back (I’m never going to let this go).

But wedged in there was the moment Mesut Ozil‘s number came up on the substitution board, when it was thought that it would be Alexandre Lacazette coming off for Danny Welbeck. Instead, it was the German playmaker, who had not had a promising performance up until that point.

As we all saw, and as the commentators kindly pointed out, Ozil was not a happy camper at the news that he was coming off. He tossed his gloves, spurned Unai Emery, and went to the deepest corner of the bench, away from everyone.

The correct response to this was one of satisfaction. For fans, seeing Ozil riled up like that was exciting. It was a far cry from the apathy we have been used to seeing from the German – apathy that may well have come about from Arsene Wenger’s refusal to change anything about his usage.

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Wenger would never sub the German out, let alone sit him, and that breeds complacency in a player whether it’s intended or not.

But Unai Emery doesn’t breed complacency. If anything, he weeds it the hell out. No player has been safe in the starting XI. Anyone that has been ineffective has had to make way and earn their way back into the team, and that is the kind of thing that brings out the best in players.

Ozil has had to fight for his spot too. It was a frustrating run for him as he built up to that dynamic performance against Leicester, and his inability to repeat it against Crystal Palace only served to infuriate him when Emery reminded the world that he doesn’t choose favorites, and that whoever wants to have minutes has to earn them.

That includes Ozil. And this reminder couldn’t have been better timed, as Liverpool is right around the corner and Ozil will be well aware that if he isn’t performing, he will be replaced.

That said, if he could just perform well and not need to be replaced, that would be ideal.