Arsenal
Revealed! The only thing that will make this Arsenal star become great again
After missing three consecutive matches, Mesut Ozil was given a rare start by Unai Emery against Burnley on Saturday.
There have been speculations surrounding his future at the Emirates stadium as a result of the constant snub by Unai Emery in recent weeks.
When asked if the player is still in his plans for the season, the Spanish manager revealed the 30-year-old midfielder is very much in his plans.
Emery further reaffirmed Ozil’s importance to his team when he said: “I have told him what we need from him. He has the commitment to help us and the quality and the characteristics to help us when the team need him on the pitch.”
EMERY KEPT TO HIS WORD
Emery demonstrated what he said to the press about the player’s importance to his team on Saturday when he named the German as his captain against Burnley.
Emery’s move was strange to everyone as no one ever imagined the Spaniard would give the player— whom he snubbed for three consecutive matches — the captain’s armband.
THE EFFECT OF CAPTAIN’S ARMBAND
Being a captain of a club comes with great responsibility while being a captain of a huge club like Arsenal comes with greater challenges.
Despite being on low confidence level prior to his shock promotion to the captain’s position, Ozil wasn’t found wanted in his captaincy role.
He was lively during the game. He tracked back to help his teammates, he uncharacteristically made dirty tackles to help the team maintain their lead.
He was vocal throughout the game, he commanded and commended his teammates when needed. He was the player Unai Emery has ever craved for since he became the Gunners manager in July.
He didn’t just control his teammates, he was involved in the first goal of the game. His trademark, defence-splitting pass to Sead Kolasinac which led to Aubameyang’s goal was a testament of his quality and capability.
He also assisted Alex Iwobi’s goal after his wonderful back pass found the unmarked Nigerian midfielder who wasted no time to slot home the ball in the latter stages of the encounter.
SHOULD EMERY MAKE OZIL HIS PERMANENT CAPTAIN?
If Emery would go by the performance the former Germany international put up at the weekend, he would be tempted to make the playmaker his permanent captain at the expense of Nacho Monreal.
However, making such a decision could disrupt the unity in the dressing room and that will surely affect the club’s progress just as we saw with United under José Mourinho.
Ozil shouldn’t wait for captain armband to know he’s a player whom many youngsters in the team look up to. His weekly wages is enough to let him realize how much is valued at the club.
To whom much is given, much is expected from, hence, he has no option but to deliver week in, week out
