Arsenal: Mesut Ozil has the talent to change the narrative

On Thursday morning, Mesut Ozil conducted a wide-ranging and honest interview with David Ornstein of The Athletic. In it, he expressed his desire to stay at Arsenal and earn a starting place. If he wants to change the narrative, he has the talent to do so; he just needs to put in the work.

Well, this Mesut Ozil story is going to run and run. After being left out of the last three matchday squads for ‘tactical reasons’, with Arsenal head coach Unai Emery protesting that other players ‘deserve it more’, Ozil has had his response.

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In a revealing and wide-ranging interview with David Ornstein of The Athletic, Ozil was asked about Emery’s comments and his recent omissions from the matchday squads. His reponse held little back:

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"“All I know is what has already been said. It’s disappointing, of course. But as a professional footballer, I have to respect the decision of the coach. Not being involved, watching from home, makes me feel helpless. I want to be part of the side, I want to support my team-mates to succeed. I’m not training all the time just for the sake of it, I’m ready to play. This should not be about me or the coach, only the club. I have to give everything, be fit and focused, and I’m training hard to be ready.”"

Ozil then responded to Raul Sanllehi’s implication that he needs to work harder to get back into Emery’s thinking, claiming that he has worked very hard this year, enjoying an excellent pre-season despite the moped attack:

"“Pre-season went very well and although things were disrupted by the [moped] attack, since then I’ve been fully available and when the coach has selected me I’ve been ready, played and always tried to give my best. I’ve trained at the same level my whole career but because I’ve not had minutes recently, I’m doing extra work with the fitness coach and in the gym to get even fitter than normal. I know what is needed and believe in myself.”"

He finally ended his spiel on Emery, when asked about the seemingly fractious relationship between the pair. Ozil said:

"“We might not see eye-to-eye on everything but that’s normal, it’s life and it’s the same with my family and friends. You have to accept it and go forward <… > I will play. I believe in myself to do what he asks of me and I want to help the club to reach our goals.”"

The situation is quite clear, and yet simultaneously completely ambiguous: Ozil believes he is working hard enough to play; Emery — and seemingly Arsenal as a whole — does not. Perhaps that will change. Emery said in his press conference on Thursday afternoon that he was pleased with Ozil’s response in recent weeks. Nevertheless, his selection decisions this season imply a very clear disdain for Ozil’s impact and utility. Whatever you think of Ozil, his availability, usage and work ethic, there is one thing that is quite clear amidst the controversy: he has the talent to change the narrative.

Ozil is of a standard that few other players in the world can replicate. But he does not always perform like that. His potential far outweighs his production. This is the crux of the issue. His proprietors choose to focus on what is possible — Arsene Wenger was one of these; his detractors focus on what he produces. This is where Emery lies.

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The disparity between these two elements does not need to exist however. They can be brought close. That, after all, is what the great players do. Not only do they possess elite talent but the produce an elite impact. And the man responsible for this is Ozil and Ozil alone. Whether he likes it or not, he is the only one who can change the narrative.

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