Arsenal: Mesut Ozil treatment harsh but completely justified

Arsenal and Mesut Ozil are going through a particularly nasty divorce, but Unai Emery’s treatment of the German, while harsh, is hard to argue with.

Arsenal fans were over the moon when Mesut Ozil came to the club. He was supposed to change everything. And for about a year, he did. He gave us so much hope, he was filled with so much confidence… and then it ended. So quickly.

And for the past couple of years, it’s been a matter of trying to get a handful of good games a year out of him. Not the best thing when he’s making the most money on the team.

Nowadays, Unai Emery isn’t even bringing him with the team. He was left out in two consecutive matches, first against Standard Liege in what should have been his match, being the rotational squad. Then against Bournemouth, when he wasn’t even selected for the team.

Naturally, the Mesut Ozil fanboys were out in force, calling for Unai Emery’s head for disrespecting such a fine man in Ozil. And it’s true, it is incredibly harsh what is happening to him.

But then you look at who was on the bench for the Bournemouth match.

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Emiliano Martinez, the back-up keeper. Kieran Tierney, Gabriel Martinelli, Lucas Torreira, Joe Willock, Ainsley Maitland-Niles, Rob Holding.

Who among that collection are you going to keep out of the squad in favor of Ozil? The only case you could make is for Martinelli, but what do you think Emery is going to favor more, giving youth a chance, or honoring an aging veteran who hasn’t been up to par with his expectations of his players?

Martinelli made an appearance, and he did damn good with it. Would Ozil have done the same?

The point is, this isn’t a grudge, or a personal vendetta against Ozil. This is an educated, practical decision to give youth an opportunity. And I say practical because when you look at who’s on the bench there, you have the back-up keeper, a centerback, a fullback, a forward, two midfielders and the all-purpose Maitland-Niles.

That’s the perfect ensemble, and they’re all youngsters. Ozil doesn’t fit. It’s a shame, but it’s the truth.

Again, is it harsh? Cruel? Do we all wish things could be different and Ozil could earn himself a fighting chance to make it in the team? Of course. But right now that just isn’t happening. So get over it.