Arsenal: It feels like Mesut Ozil is holding the club hostage

Arsenal are apparently at the whims of Mesut Ozi regarding where he will end up next, which feels mildly like a hostage situation.

Mesut Ozil‘s time at Arsenal is turning into a bit of a negative thing, if rumors are to be believed. According to numerous reports, he turned down a move to PSG in the January transfer window and, again if you buy the rumors, he has also turned down a move to China as well.

Now, before we go any further, let it be said that they are, in fact, rumors. And the sources aren’t ironclad.

But assuming that they are true, we see one kind of troubling trend – that Ozil clearly has no intention of leaving and, to take that one step further, he has all the power in his hands. Meaning that when he says he’s staying, he actually has the power to act on that.

I’ve talked a lot about Ozil throughout the course of this year, and how it’s just a matter of not meshing. No one is going to doubt that Ozil is a fantastic player, but it’s all about the money, unfortunately.

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If we had unlimited money like some unnamed clubs, then yes please, let’s keep Ozil. But seeing as how we need to free up some space to sign some superstars capable of superstarring, Ozil is hurting the club by staying.

So we have to take a look at it from his point of view – what does he actually expect to change starting next season?

He had all year to prove that he fit in more than we feared he wouldn’t. And he didn’t take that advantage. give that it is such a crucial period of transition, leeching funds, as well as a spot on the club, leave you wondering what the solution might be.

Because frankly, I just don’t think that Ozil has it in him to acclimate to what Unai Emery needs out of him. And for all you that may think I’m being unfair to Ozil, chill. I think he’s a tremendous footballer and an absolute joy to watch, but it’s all about moving forward, and Ozil holds us back from doing that because of his wages and his inability to play a consistent role in this starting XI.

That is, when he even makes the starting XI, which isn’t nearly as often as it needs to be.