23 Oct 2020 22:24:09
Some very good points below IMO
European football expert Guillem Balague:
"I find the suggestion that Ozil has been moved aside for his political stance an intentional distraction and very convenient. He has played and has been called up since he made his comments on China and the Uighur Muslims. You have to look at the bigger picture [in footballing terms].
"Why have the last two managers struggled to find a way to fit him in? He is talented, no doubt, but talent is not enough in the elite.
"You have to be committed, interested, follow instructions on the pitch, work hard in training and in the games, with and without the ball, have faith in the group and in the leader. all that is necessary.
"It is very easy to influence Arsenal fans by suggesting there is a hidden agenda here, but why would two managers go against doing the best for their own teams by leaving Ozil out?
"Would it be by any chance that they needed to bring some standards which Ozil did not match? I have the impression Ozil should look at the mirror himself and be honest with what he sees.
"Ozil is not able to impact games on a regular basis and now the manager feels that it is best for the group to leave him out of the Premier League and Europa League squad. ".
23 Oct 2020 23:37:31
Some fair opinions Shag mate but no matter if we agree or disagree that Mesut should be playing in the starting 11 or even match day 18, not to even be included in Europa or premier?
I find that very very difficult to think is anything but victimisation by the club for whatever reason the club sees fit to victimise Mesut Ozil.
I genuinely think it would be real struggle to get an independent tribunal to accept the club is not personally discriminating against Ozil.
Last I heard the Mesut still held the premier league record for assist per minute played but regardless I don't think there is any question at all that Mesut Ozil is amongst Arsenal's best 30 current players.
While those currently running Arsenal football club have during the last 12 months earned themselves reputation for treating others in any way they wish to.
24 Oct 2020 00:18:53
Dry interesting - yes.
Enough to banish him from ever playing or to drop him?
What changed since C.V. and why has his agent who is probably closer spoken out so loudly and Ed said it’s Edu?
24 Oct 2020 01:00:57
What's more valuable to the business?
Ozil, or the Chinese market?
If you want to tell me ozil and Mikel had a fight, and it's about getting the squad to respect the manager then I'd probably believe it. Ozil is fantastic, must be a big influence on the squad.
If you want to tell me he's lazy and can't be in the first 11, fair enough that's a respectable opinion.
But omitted from the squad for footballing reasons? Our best player is not good enough? Has anyone seen our squad? It's absurd and they are treating him and us like mugs.
24 Oct 2020 12:47:26
I think fans would accept it far more if the club which has been run like a business more and more came out and said that. At least we could make sense of it.
I’ve read snippets from Wenger’s book and it certainly sounds like the board puts the manager in difficult positions without explaining why and even leaks unhelpful statements that really puts more focus on the manager than should be. Eg if we have limited funds then don’t say Wenger can sign whoever he wants.
It makes it look like he’s the tight-ass. that’s not fair. If this is the same again, the board must learn or fans give the manager the heat.
You would have thought they could take less drastic action repot keep China happy.
Hope we get to know the truth as it speaks volumes about how the club is run.
24 Oct 2020 14:25:25
It's not always possible to know the truth mate but I think it's important to recognise when someone is obviously selling you a fabricated fairytale as the truth.
The less you trust something or someone the more difficult is to get behind them.