As reported by Mirror, Paul Merson has pleaded Unai Emery to play Mesut Ozil after an underwhelming start to the campaign that saw the German being frozen out of the first-team. The Arsenal manager has often overlooked the playmaker in favour of the likes of Dani Ceballos and Joe Willock.
Merson, however, thinks that Emery should provide Ozil with a second chance before trying to offload him in January. But is it a good idea?
Why has Ozil struggled under Emery?
The main reason behind Ozil’s struggles under Emery is purely because of the fact that he is not the most enthusiastic playmaker in the world. The German often appears tentative without possession, which is not ideal for Emery’s tactical setup.
The Spaniard employs an attacking brand of football, with attackers always looking to put pressure on the opposing defenders by forming the first line of press. However, Ozil’s lack of work-rate without the ball means that the Gunners become less effective when it comes to pressing the defenders.
Someone like Ceballos or Willock, in that regard, are more fitted into this scheme as they are known for their tenacity and athleticism. Therefore, Emery has had difficulties integrating Ozil into his tactical setup, and it was perhaps a wiser decision for him to freeze out the playmaker from the starting lineup.
Should Ozil be awarded a second chance?
Arsenal are lucky to sign someone like Ceballos, who has made a considerable impact unlike the other new signing Nicolas Pepe. The Gunners should try their best to revolve their game around the Spaniard as long as he is there.
Besides, giving Ozil a second opportunity could restrict Willock’s overall game-time. And that won’t be a logical move given the fact that the youngster has impressed in almost every game this season.
Not just Willock, it could also halt the progress of Bukayo Saka, Reiss Nelson and Emile Smith Rowe – all of whom are equally capable of becoming a top-class attacker, if nurtured well. And given the way they have performed so far, it’s likely at least one of them could enjoy a breakthrough campaign.
As for Ozil, his departure could restore Arsenal’s wage budget, allowing them to sign a new defender in the upcoming January transfer window. Hence, it might not be the best of ideas for Emery to give the German a second chance.
