This article is part of Football FanCast’s Pundit View series, which provides opinion and analysis on recent quotes from journalists, pundits, players and managers…
Arsenal midfielder Mesut Ozil has revealed that he is motivated to play football once more for Arsenal under Unai Emery.
What’s the word?
The public fallout between both the German midfielder and the Spanish manager is one of the worst kept secrets in football. The former Germany international has found himself sidelined from the majority of the new campaign.
Ozil has made just two appearances so far this season and the club find themselves third in the Premier League table.
Speaking with The Athletic, Ozil said that despite not agreeing at times with the manager, he is more than willing to fight for his place in the side.
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“I’ve worked under some of the biggest coaches in the world — Arsene, Jose Mourinho, Joachim Low — and always I show respect. It’s the same for Unai.”
“We might not see eye-to-eye on everything but that’s normal, it’s life and it’s the same with my family and friends. You have to accept it and go forward.”
“I don’t think that will happen (that he won’t start again under Emery). I will play. I believe in myself to do what he asks of me and I want to help the club to reach our goals.”
Willing to work
Analysing what Ozil said, he has reacted in the best possible way to his recent exclusion from the squad.
The German has previously said that he has never been phased about criticism and fully acknowledged that he splits opinion among the football-watching public, per the Daily Mail.
In the video below, we look at where it all went wrong for Arsenal’s former ‘saviour’, Mesut Ozil…
Ozil has had his fair share of supporters. Quoted by the Metro, Arsenal legend Ian Wright criticised the manager’s treatment of the German was very uncomfortable to witness.
Despite saying that himself and Emery can disagree from time to time, he is willing to get his head down and work for the team. However, with the emergence of youth talent in the side such as Joe Willock and Bukayo Saka, he will have to fight for his place once more and prove to the manager that he is capable of starting games regularly once more.
It appears that Ozil has responded to a rallying call made by the Gunners’ head of football Raul Sanllehi, who told supporters at a fans’ forum that he wanted to see the German playing again but has to fight for his place to do so, per Goal.
He is answering that call. With the busy Christmas period fast approaching, the German has the opportunity to get some minutes under his belt.
