Arsenal’s Mesut Ozil has told his teammates that he will be joining Manchester United, according to the Mirror.
WATFORD, ENGLAND – OCTOBER 14: Mesut Ozil of Arsenal and team mates look dejected as Tom Cleverley of Watford scores their second goal during the Premier League match between Watford and Arsenal at Vicarage Road on October 14, 2017 in Watford, England. (Photo by Stephen Pond/Getty Images)The 2014 World Cup winner has been heavily criticized in 2017 for not showing the effort expected out of one of the best attacking midfielder’s in the world. But is looking to revive his career in the Premier League with his former manager at Real Madrid, Jose Mourinho.
Former Arsenal man, Martin Keown stated that “Ozil has psychologically left Arsenal” in an interview on BBC 5.
'Ozil has psychologically left Arsenal' @MartinKeown5 says Wenger should sell the German in January.
— BBC 5 Live Sport (@5liveSport) October 4, 2017
What do you think? pic.twitter.com/QyjnvC5usB
The Mirror write that Ozil is looking for “£350,000-a-week to sign a new deal” with the London club, more than Arsene Wenger is willing to pay. However, United would be willing to match the German’s demands.
Ozil is a dynamic player, but we’ve already been over why he isn’t needed at the club.
Manchester United are currently home to plenty of No. 10’s in Juan Mata, Henrikh Mkhitaryan, Paul Pogba, and Jesse Lingard all capable of filling in at the attacking midfield position. Not to mention Andreas Pereira, who is on loan at La Liga side Valencia this season.
Despite the persistence of the rumor, it just doesn’t seem to make any sense. Mourinho needs players who can play box to box. Ozil doesn’t fit that mold.
"“But when you watch Messi and Ronaldo who give their all in every single match I won’t sit here and accept that someone plays football looking like he’s down a coal mine.” — Gary Neville on Ozil’s body language."
There’s a reason Jose sold Ozil to Arsenal when he was the boss at Real Madrid. He didn’t provide the work rate needed to run the Portuguese manager’s system. Why would it make sense to try him again at United?
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Regardless of the contract situation, there’s a reason why he has struggled for playing time this season at Arsenal. Starting just four times this season, Wenger has found that his team can’t afford to play with ten men defensively.
Giving youth a shot would be a much better alternative to signing Ozil. Hardworking players looking to solidify a spot in the side like Angel Gomes or the aforementioned Pereira would be cheaper options and more like the United of old.
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Arsenal could also sell Ozil for a cut rate price in January to the Red Devils or risk losing him for free completely as he lets his contract run down and expire. Let’s hope the Gunners can find another suitor for their unhappy star.