Arsenal: Let it not be said that Mesut Ozil never had a chance

The internal battle at Arsenal between Unai Emery and Mesut Ozil hit a breakthrough against BATE Borisov, but Unai Emery still has the clear advantage.

After so much deliberation and phony outrage in the media, Mesut Ozil finally got back onto the pitch for Arsenal against BATE Borisov, and he did himself justice. After such a prolonged lay-off, and with how many injuries he overcame, it was wonderful to see his uninhibited mind back out there on the pitch.

All season, the Ozil vs Unai Emery tug of war has been going back and forth, with some claiming that Ozil is being mistreated and others claiming that Unai Emery has all the right to build the team around the people most worthy of the spot in the squad.

After all, it is Emery’s squad to pick, and not anyone else’s. Still though, both sides of the argument hold water. That is, until the run-up to BATE Borisov, when Emery made it clear that Ozil holds his own fate in his hands.

The big question has always been how Ozil can be so ousted if he’s never given the chance to prove himself. Fans say he deserves more, he deserves better, he can fit in if only Emery lets him.

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Well, let BATE Borisov be yet another example that Ozil has been given plenty of chances. He has had numerous opportunities to get out there and prove that he belongs in the regular first team squad, but each time, he ends up weeding himself out.

BATE Borisov is another reset for Ozil. There have been plenty. And Emery is absolutely in his right to demand consistency from a player making as much money as Ozil makes.

Borisov allowed Ozil to play in a match that was to all of his strengths. He was in the No. 10 position, he was surrounded by talent and he took advantage, proving himself capable yet again, but that has never been the question, has it? The question has been, as Emery pointed out, about consistency.

If Ozil is never able to make it in Emery’s Arsenal, let it never be said that he wasn’t given a chance. He has had every chance in the world, with Emery working him back into the squad no matter the gap in between appearances.

As long as this is the case, Emery is right. This is all in Ozil’s court. if he can adjust – great. If not, whose fault is it really?