Pain in the Arsenal
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Arsenal Vs Southampton: 5 key players to watch – Attack, anyone?

By Andrew Dowdeswell

WATFORD, ENGLAND - SEPTEMBER 15: Mesut Ozil of Arsenal walks past fans as he gets off the team bus prior to the Premier League match between Watford FC and Arsenal FC at Vicarage Road on September 14, 2019 in Watford, United Kingdom. (Photo by Marc Atkins/Getty Images)
WATFORD, ENGLAND - SEPTEMBER 15: Mesut Ozil of Arsenal walks past fans as he gets off the team bus prior to the Premier League match between Watford FC and Arsenal FC at Vicarage Road on September 14, 2019 in Watford, United Kingdom. (Photo by Marc Atkins/Getty Images) /
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LONDON, ENGLAND – NOVEMBER 02: Mesut Ozil of Arsenal in action during the Premier League match between Arsenal FC and Wolverhampton Wanderers at Emirates Stadium on November 02, 2019 in London, United Kingdom. (Photo by Jordan Mansfield/Getty Images)
LONDON, ENGLAND – NOVEMBER 02: Mesut Ozil of Arsenal in action during the Premier League match between Arsenal FC and Wolverhampton Wanderers at Emirates Stadium on November 02, 2019 in London, United Kingdom. (Photo by Jordan Mansfield/Getty Images) /

2. Mesut Ozil

Mesut Ozil does not suit modern football. He is not quick enough to play out wide, he does not press sufficiently to play in attacking midfield, and his work rate is lacking such that he could adapt to a deeper role, aka Kevin de Bruyne. This is why Arsenal want to sell him, and they are right for thinking so.

Nevertheless, while he is at the club and being paid an egregious sum of money, Unai Emery would be wise to make the best of a player that a creativity and ingenuity that is utterly unique, and, while there are some games that Ozil unequivocally does not suit, this is not one of them.

Southampton will likely come to the Emirates with a pre-determined plan: sit deep, compact space in central areas, and remain positionally disciplined. Arsenal should have lots of the ball, and the onus will be on them to engineer openings and create chances. Who better to have in your team than Ozil? The German’s uses are severely restricted in the modern game, but there is no one better for this type of match. If only Unai Emery would think the same.