Arsenal: Mesut Ozil better earn it

Mesut Ozil has stated that he will be at Arsenal next season, despite a reported rift with Unai Emery. Well, if that is the case, he better earn it.

The role of Mesut Ozil — and the consequent value that he provides that role — has long been discussed at Arsenal. I am not sure there is another player in world football who is as contentious as the German: the Ozil fanboys unwaveringly in support; the dinosaur football pundits slamming his apparent lack of desire.

Find the latest episode of the Pain in the Arsenal Podcast here — Death, Decay, Despair

And this season, the debate has taken on a new level. Unai Emery, who has no loyalty to the creator like Arsene Wenger did, who not only was a staunch supporter of his star player, but was also happy to provide the rope he believed was required to flourish, arrived at the Emirates and immediately made changes, changes that do not necessarily suit Ozil.

More from Pain in the Arsenal

• 3 standout players from 1-0 victory over Everton
• 3 positives & negatives from Goodison Park victory
• Arsenal vs PSV preview: Prediction, team news & lineups
• 3 talking points from Arsenal’s victory at Goodison Park
• Mikel Arteta provides Gabriel Martinelli injury update after Everton win

The future of Ozil is yet to be fully understood. He is now the wrong side of 30, seemingly does not get on with Emery, both personally, if reports are to be believed, and tactically, and is costing £350,000-a-week, a truly world-class fee for a player who does not contribute as one. Ozil was asked this week whether he will stay in north London beyond this summer. His reply was emphatic, to say the least:

"“Yes absolutely. I have two years left on my contract. I don’t know about after that but yes, absolutely. I’m 30 now and I’ve still got two years in front of me and what happens after that I don’t know myself.”"

In fairness to Ozil, if I was sitting on £350,000-a-week for not doing all that much, I would be more than happy to stay for another two years. He is on more than a pretty penny, does not really have to work all that hard for his money, and has no reason to want to leave if he lacks any drive or desire to win, which has been questioned.

From Arsenal’s perspective, though, this is bad news, assuming that Ozil’s effort and production continue as it has done for the majority of his north London tenure. Not once since he has signed the new contract has Ozil even looked like proving to be good value. Only in odd matches has he hinted at his value, and when you factor in his continued, spotty absences, his wage becomes utterly egregious.

This is not to say that Ozil is incapable of being valuable. I think even his biggest detractors would concede that he is one of the most gifted footballers in the world. But he rarely produces with a consistency, frequency and quality that a player of his ability and price should, and there is little reason to think that this will change anytime soon.

Ozil staying does not have to be bad. But he has to now earn his place and prove his value. Because Emery will not give him the rope that Wenger did.