Arsenal: The long-awaited verdict on Mesut Ozil is in

Arsenal were made to look toothless against Everton, and Mesut Ozil was a big reason why. Turns out it was not time to roll the dice.

Arsenal took a lot of momentum into their away match at Goodison Park. So much momentum that fans were beginning to find confidence in the separation between us and the likes of Chelsea, Manchester United and Tottenham, but as it turns out, we’re no better off. Because the away points still evade us.

Before the match, I asked the question “is it time to roll the dice on Mesut Ozil?” All season, we’ve avoided using him in away matches, but his home form has been so blistering these past few matches that even naysayers like me considered the prospect of starting him in an away match.

But considered was as far as it went. It was not time to start Mesut Ozil, as I decided on after just about 375 words. It would make more sense to stick with the industrial players like Henrikh Mkhitaryan and Alex Iwobi.

I’m not sure I’ve ever felt more vindicated, but I really don’t want to sit here and say “I told you so,” at least not too much.

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Although, Alex Iwobi was a rare bright spot on the day, and he did come on later into the match to compliment Mkhitaryan so…

More importantly, I don’t know if we need any more evidence that Ozil isn’t worth what we’re paying him. We’ve spent all year trying to get him into a place where he can be properly utilized, and still yet, all he can manage to do is prove useful in home matches. That accounts for half the season where he is not a viable option.

I wanted to believe that things were changing, that what was building up in our recent home matches was bonafide proof that things were looking up, not just for the team, but for Ozil’s future prospects, but seeing him crash back down at the first hint of struggle was a reminder.

He lost possession six times and didn’t create a single chance or shot on target to make up for it. You’re allowed the off match or too, but this is something we’ve seen before. Nothing has changed.

Maybe the decision won’t be made that easily, but honestly, it should be. I’m ready to see the club move on without our specialized superstar.