Mesut Ozil’s Arsenal Departure for the Good of All

Arsenal Needed Mesut Ozil to Leave

Having got themselves into this mess, seeing Ozil leave six months earlier than anticipated will be deemed a success on the club’s part.

They hamstrung themselves with the contract they dished out, one that on first glance appeared like a masterstroke and maintained their status as a ‘big club’, but has ultimately been to their detriment.

Arteta’s decision to omit him from key squads this season was not without purpose. In many ways, he’s got what he wanted: Ozil to leave. While numerous doubts emerged over the reasons for his decision being something other than football-related, the end goal remained that if he could be moved on before his contract ended then Arsenal wouldn’t think twice.

Futile efforts were made to do so in the summer, with Ozil insisting he would continue to fight for his place in the team. It was battle he could never win. Did he know that?

Arteta’s decision follows a period at the end of Arsene Wenger’s reign, Unai Emery’s and Freddie Ljungberg‘s. New blood has been wanted for his position, likewise with countless other areas of the pitch.

The decline at Arsenal has been severe. It will be terminal unless the reset button is slammed down on. While movements are being made to begin that process, none signal the start of Arsenal’s rebirth with as much magnitude as the departure of Ozil. From the club’s point of view, his leaving will be a marquee signing in reverse.

Ozil’s situation in north London has been a monkey on the club’s back. Endless media attention and rehashed lines of questioning that prompt variations of the same answer. The disorder they’ve got themselves into can finally have its page turned, and the club will be ecstatic to open a new chapter.

Financially it’s still unclear how much Arsenal will save of the remaining £7m owed to Ozil. At this stage any amount will be a bonus. Add to the the squad being less bloated, less apparent division within the training camp over a player of his calibre being frozen out, and the club have a conclusion they’ve longed for.

All the resulting chaos that has ensued for months on end culminated in someone not playing, a club flushing hoards of cash down the drain and uncertainty and controversy from every angle.

Far from the best climax to this journey, this is the best conclusion for all.