Mesut Ozil (Getty Images)
According to The Sun, Arsenal playmaker Mesut Ozil has emerged as a target for Manchester United and Jose Mourinho could make a move to sign the German in the winter transfer window. Ozil, who signed a new contract in January to extend his stay at the Emirates till 2021, is currently the highest paid player in Arsenal’s ranks with weekly wages of £350,000.
The German playmaker joined Arsenal for a fee of £42.4m back in the 2013/14 season and has made a total of 146 appearances in the Premier League till date, scoring 28 goals and setting up another 50. He had an impressive season last time around under Arsene Wenger, where he proved his worth with 4 goals and 8 assists. In other words, he is Arsenal’s assist-king.
Despite being the highest paid player in the ranks, Ozil has found his first-team position under threat in the current season. Much of that has been down to his inability to adapt to Unai Emery’s style of play which involves more pressing in the final third. The 29-year-old has been unable to increase his work-rate to suit the demands of the manager.
The German creative wizard has been shifted from his playmaker’s role behind the striker to the flanks, where he has not looked comfortable. This goes on to show that his future at Arsenal is far from settled and he might not get regular minutes in his preferred position under Unai Emery, despite signing a new contract.
With two losses against Brighton & Hove Albion and Tottenham Hotspur, Manchester United made a lukewarm start to their season. However, back-to-back victories over Burnley and Watford have certainly given the Red Devils some breathing space.
While United have been poor defensively, they haven’t worked wonders in the attacking third. Mourinho has stuck to his rigid tactics which haven’t helped the midfielders build the play. They miss cohesion in the final third and as a result, United have looked like a bunch of individuals on the field.
Furthermore, the Red Devils have been rather one-dimensional in their style of attack. They have used Alexis Sanchez and Luke Shaw to play crosses into the box, aiming for – or rather, hoping for – target man Romelu Lukaku to meet them. Although Lukaku has scored a number of goals so far, the management has little reason to be pleased since he has squandered loads of good chances.
While Pogba’s impact in the final third has been limited by the manager’s choice to play him as a sweeper for the porous rearguard, Sanchez and Juan Mata have been rather isolated on the wings, forcing them to try things on their own. As a result, the opposition defenders have found life easy.
To put things into perspective, adding Mesut Ozil to the team could bring about some much-needed cohesion to United’s attacks. A typical left-footed player defined by technical brilliance and vision, Ozil is perhaps the missing link in the club’s final third. Not only can he supply Lukaku with incisive through balls but could also link play with Sanchez and Mata on the wings.
His vision and the ability to play one-twos in the final third should add another dimension to United’s attack. He has worked with Sanchez when the Chilean was at Arsenal and the German’s presence could once again extract the best out of the United star, who currently earns a staggering £350,000-a-week.
With Ozil supporting Sanchez, Manchester United could look more menacing in the final third. Not only will Ozil’s presence help Sanchez but it will also allow Lukaku to operate as the target man with greater efficiency. With Lukaku as the target man and the likes of Shaw, Sanchez and Ozil playing supporting roles, United will be able to make maximum use of their left axis.
That said, United should look to bolster their attacking options by signing German wizard Mesut Ozil. It could be the deal that goes on to decide where United finish in the Premier League.
