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Arsenal fans have seized the opportunity of their return to the Emirates Stadium for the first time in nearly nine months to show their support for outcast Mesut Ozil.
The former German international was left out of the Gunners’ Premier League and Europa League squads by manager Mikel Arteta during the first half of this season in October, with the Spaniard ruthlessly citing “football reasons.”
The 32-year-old appeared to be part of Arteta’s plans after the former Arsenal captain replaced Unai Emery as boss last year.
However, he has not played for the Gunners since a 1-0 home win over West Ham in March, but he remains the club’s top earners at £ 350,000 a week.
But after 2,000 fans leaked onto the field for Arsenal’s Europa League Group B game against Rapid Vienna, a banner held by a young fan caught on television raised the Ozil issue again, simply saying: ‘ Bring back Mesut. ‘
Ozil has publicly and privately expressed his desire to return to play for the club and maintains his physical form while continuing to train as part of the first team, now showing his support largely through his Twitter account.
Requests for the 2014 World Cup winner to be included in the North London clubs’ rosters when they show up after the January transfer window have increased in recent weeks with Arsenal’s poor form in the creation and goal of occasions.
Arteta’s men have scored just 10 Premier League goals so far this season, and only the last three have scored more goals.
Arsenal goalkeeper legend David Seaman has a similar opinion and insists the Spaniard is letting Ozil’s talent “go to waste.”
“I am surprised that Arteta has decided to put Mezut Ozil aside because he is a quality player,” the former Arsenal goalkeeper told The Target Men Podcast.
“ I feel like something has happened personally between the two of us, because leaving it out, and with the money he’s in, it’s a great statement and for me it’s a waste, because he’s still a quality player.
“When you look at the Arsenal team, we are crying out for such a player, so why don’t you build your team around Ozil instead of just leaving him on the field and letting him go?”
Seaman’s former teammate Paul Merson also believes Ozil should return to the team if summer signing Thomas Partey is fit, because it would allow the German to play a more offensive role.
Merson told Sky Sports earlier this week: ‘For me, Mesut Ozil returns to the team if Thomas Partey is fit. Partey moves across the field, dominates the midfield and dictates the game. Playing opens an opportunity for Ozil.
“At the moment, Arsenal have no one there to provide forwards. You can run all day, but if you are a center forward, your runs are only as good as the players behind you.
‘When these Arsenal players are getting the ball in midfield, over time, is Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang getting the run? Are you sure they are going to see your race and are able to get that ball through the eye of a needle?
‘I would say no, so they need creativity. Fernando Torres made runs when Steven Gerrard received the ball. They didn’t even have to look.
“The teams are sitting against Arsenal and they don’t have the creativity in midfield to take them down.
“If Partey doesn’t play, Ozil can’t play. Without Partey, Arsenal are not going to dictate the midfield, and then they cannot afford to play with 10 men. But if Arsenal have the midfield, and Ozil is playing behind Aubameyang, with two flying wingers. Ask the four in the back to stay still, including those in the background.
Source: m.allfootballapp.com
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