Arsenal vs Sheffield United: Mesut Ozil must return the favor

Arsenal have a big test this Saturday against Sheffield United, and they need all their big players to show up. Mesut Özil will be the most important of all.

Arsenal are just beginning to turn a corner this season, and no player more than Mesut Özil. But the German will face a massive test yet this Saturday

It is no mistake that Chris Wilder’s side are 6th in the Premier League table. Their exquisite defensive shape, bold tactics, and spirit of unity have been enough to carry them well into the top half of the league. And they’re tied for the second fewest goals conceded in the league. Again, no mistake there.

Their opponent this weekend will be Mikel Arteta’s fresh-faced Gunners, all the more aptly described because of the list of injuries dominating our team sheet at the moment. We sit tenth in the table, with a -2 goal difference, and without our biggest offensive threat in Pierre Emerick Aubameyang.

Mikel Arteta did not mince words when asked about the challenge of playing Sheffield United. Here is what he said in a press conference yesterday:

"“I’ve been very impressed. I’ve seen a lot of games and everything is prepared. Everything they do has a real sense, they are really difficult to break down. The solidarity in their team is incredible, how hard they work for each other and they have very clear principles – in attack and in defence, restarts of play, set-pieces – with what they want to do. So it will be a very difficult test. I already warned the players today.”“They are a real team that fights for every single ball with their attitude and behaviour, as well as their intentions for what they want to do every time.”"

Arteta has revitalized Arsenal, both in his seriousness and his tactical superiority. He will not sit by and watch as we crumble on the field, as Unai Emery did. He has already warned the players, and it is up to them to respond.

The player most affected by Arteta’s time in charge is Mesut Özil. The Spaniard, almost overnight, has rejuvenated the German, resurrecting his effort and instilling a new fiery spirit, along with a defensive workrate. And although the German has not looked his star-studded best, he has been very consistent, something I haven’t seen out of him in a while.

But against Sheffield United, it is time for Mesut Özil to show up and return the favor. He has found a new lease on life under Arteta. He needs to play his heart out. He cannot be allowed to disappear again.

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With so many of our impact players missing, the strain on Özil at the Number 10 role will increase. But he cannot ride the production of Aubameyang, the drive of Sead Kolasinac, or the defensive effort of Lucas Torreira. He cannot stop, or let his foot off the gas pedal. But I believe the mercurial playmaker can handle it. The only problem is, he will have to do something he has never done in his Arsenal career: lead the team.

He is an excellent player, with the ability to pick apart a defense. His ability to float into pockets of space between players, then to play incisive passes and create chances, is second to none in the Arsenal squad. But he must prove to his teammates, and Arteta, that he has changed.

Throughout the full scope of his revival, I have been tentative. While every aspect of his game has improved since his time under Unai Emery, he has yet to prove that he is the player Arsène Wenger believed he was. Wenger would leave Özil in the game regardless of the needs of the game, because he believed the German would be the one to change the game. And he rarely did.

But all that must change this weekend. This suspension to Pierre Emerick Aubameyang means we do not have a designated captain. And it does not matter who the armband falls to on Saturday. It truly doesn’t. Because Mesut Özil must carry this team to the finish line. Arteta has gotten him this far. He has to return the favor.