Ozil on a whinge + CEO departure smoke sees some fire

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Mesut Ozil dropped a beast of a press release about his treatment over the World Cup issues. His angst seems to centre around his belief that his Turkish heritage has made him a scapegoat for a shit show from the national team. He also seems very upset at the damage the picture of him with the Turkish President has done, particularly with charity partners who have abandoned him.

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I feel for him. The racist overtones in the press are awful, it’s unfair that his performances at the World Cup are seen through dual nationality. However, I can’t feel for him losing partners. Standing tall with authoritarianism was an ignorant move. Whether he was badly advised, or he just didn’t think it through, when you align with a tyrant, you’ve opened yourself up to criticism. Erdogan is a monster, he is savaging Turkish institutions that protect democracy and regardless of where your heritage sits, to be seen as normalizing that with a photo opp is beyond stupid.

Where he does have a point is that in a society that’s said fuck it to consequences for behaviour in poor taste, it’s interesting that a German-Turk gets the full force of alienation. Still, I struggle with whataboutism when it comes to monsters. Mesut’s reasoning for the photo is that he didn’t want to disrespect his ancestry. I find that weak. He might think it’s just a cute pic for the family, but for others, it was normalising a tyrant. Tell your story of ‘I didn’t think of anything other than the pic’ to the jailed judges, civil servants and free press.

Ozil has a massive PR job on his hands, I’m not sure he’s going to shift sentiment with juvenile PR releases that seem to lack a north star. He should own the mistake, make a statement on the pitch and try and and remedy the broken trust with the German public with actions.

In CEO news, the Ivan G story won’t budge with Corriere stating he’s the choice for AC Milan and he’ll head there this September. Now this has been rolling in the media for a week without a firm statement of denial, you have to wonder if the smoke is starting to choke out the truth.

I’d still be surprised if he moved. It’d be a desperately poor show of leadership. He’s spent 9 months in real control of the club. He’s pulled in executives from around the world to guide his vision, luring them based on the trust he’ll be here to support the project. To duck out at the first glamorous door knock would tell you a lot about who is really is if he does it. He’ll be leaving a junior project rudderless, which in the short term could be damaging especially if the new manager doesn’t pan out. More to the point, CEO search and select isn’t a two-week process. It takes months. You have to craft plans, interview with a load of people, meet and greet staff and negotiate complicated compensation deals. If this story is true, he’s been making extremely long-term decisions for Arsenal with his head in AC Milan clouds. That’s really shitty if true.

In the grand scheme of things, it’s not a big deal. He’s been a solid administrator. He’s overseen a tough stadium move and we’re A-Ok. But really, can you say he blew it out the park? It took him 12 years to convince Stan that Wenger was a dud. He oversaw a train wreck transfer policy, he allowed Wenger to grow a ridiculous socialist wage policy, he was ineffectual at implementing a rugged football infrastructure and he lied to the fans over and over again. Not just that, look at our commercial deals. Hardly inspiring, are they?

He has the chance at to shape his legacy at a club he can become a legend. I hope he stays on, but if he doesn’t, it’s an opportunity to hire in someone who can find that elusive next level.

Finally, Arsenal is linked to the very sexy Yann Sommer. The 29-year-old Swiss was excellent at the world cup and he’d move as competition to Leno. That’d give me some relief.

Right, I’m ducking out. x

 

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Dissenter

“Corners or square balls are not assists .”

I agree that crossing a ball into a crowded bunch of josling players for a corner kick should not be considered an assist.
The Ozil-loving people will count the pass that led to a triple-deflected goal as an assist for him.
Redtruth talking some sense here.

Marc

I’d prefer Gazidis didn’t leave at the moment – not because he’s been some sort of amazing CEO but purely because at the moment we’re just getting the compass realigned and to unsettle that would be counter productive. In a couple of years it won’t be so critical.

Bob N16

I think Marko’s point is valid – if we need to sell in order to buy then excellent money for Iwobi could be worth taking. Personally I’m still hoping Iwobi will improve, this is probably a sentimental view as he’s been with us since he was a child. I think he’s young enough to not have reached his potential but if our finances are so constrained….
If Ramsay and Welbeck are both sold I would definitely keep him. Quick feet, comfortable on the ball, always looking to combine….obviously needs to sort out his finishing.

Bob N16

Dissenter….can’t believe you really think that Iwobi wouldn’t start for any PL team. If you do I’m not sure your comments should be taken too seriously.

Marko

Gazidis going is a worry.No queues forming to hire Wenger, could Stan take him back in a role upstairs? Would mean less of that payoff money wasted.

Not a chance. They just got rid of the smell of him from colney no way they take him back

Bob N16

Gazidis can go as far as I’m concerned. There is a strong argument that he’s been in the job for long enough as it is. There would be loads of candidates lining up to replace him.

Cesc Appeal

Vintage Gun

You might be right, they might have thought they would have had no chance, surely Madrid, Barcelona etc are the next stop for him.

Dissenter

Bob
Which team is he good enough to start for?
I’m sorry I hurt your puny Arsenal frailties by saying he’s a squad filler. I didn’t even say he’s crap.
I’m waiting for your answer

UTarse

Iwobi is shit, at best he’s West Ham standard, more likely he’s Watford standard.

Receding hairline

Not good enough for our English teams but good enough for Lazio

You do sound off at times dissenter

Marko

Ozil can fully focus on Arsenal now

Marko

Not good enough for our English teams but good enough for Lazio

You’re assuming that he would be good enough for them. He could fail at Lazio

Victorious

Good decision Mesut…

Germany are the losers here, just finished bottom in a world cup group comprising of Mexico,Sweden and South Korea playing turd football..jokes on them at least until they get their act together

Wallace

while I’m confident Emery’s a coach to give young players a chance, it won’t look good if the first player out the door is the only player(bar Bellerin) to have come through the academy in the last 7/8yrs. full Nigerian international on top of that, and only just turned 22.

Marko

jokes on them at least until they get their act together

My ass forces them to play Brandt or Sane now. They’ll be grand better for it in fact

Countryboy

I think some people will make outlandish statements just to be accepted by their “massas”. Iwobi won’t start for ANY premier League club? Really? Smh.

Marc

Wallace

If we use the money to bring in a better player – the wide player we desperately need for example who won’t he look good to?

Redtruth

No…………Germany comprising of Ozil and his ilk finished bottom of the group.

Cesc Appeal

Ozil retires from international football, who could have seen that coming?

I think Germany will be better off.

Ozil, Khedira, Muller etc are holding them back. Better off to look to Brandt, Sane etc and then other youngsters and start to rebuild.

Redtruth

Iwoni has been a passenger since the outlandish decision was taken to put him in the team.

Bob N16

Redruth, you’re either a racist and/or a wind up merchant.

How do you explain the success of Germany 2014 or France 2018? 1st/2nd (or 3rd generationwhen it comes to Ozil) immigrants were instrumental in their success. However, you choose to blame, in your spiteful way, the non white Germans for their failure this time around.

Marc

Marko

You can’t blame the entire Germany debacle solely on Ozil. There were many on here – can’t remember if you were one of them who was calling Lowe out for not taking Sane weeks before the tournament even kicked off.

Marc

Bob

Nah he’s just a cunt plain and simple – very simple in fact.

Bob N16

Dissenter, ‘I’m sorry I hurt your puny Arsenal feelings’.

What a dick splash! What does that insult even mean?

Redtruth

Ozil retiring from football altogethe would make more sense.

Victorious

Dunno really..he created 7 chances alone in their last group stage game

Profligacy in finishing ensured Germany packed their bags,Ozil than played and was very influential in their run to become champions in 2014

Sane and Brandt although very talented players will struggle to fill Ozils shoes in both experience and creativity and I for one won’t be surprised to see them struggle a bit

Ozil is Germanys major creative hub and Germany are the bigger losers here.

Vintage Gun

@Cesc

Your stating the obvious there mate. Iets have a little look at Arteta’s managerial C.V.

1.) I’m Peps left hand man

2.) Arsenal really,really wanted to hire me. Before they chose Emery

3.) I’m strict

4,) Pedro who owns this massive football blog repeatedly says im “cool” and “cutting edge”. Repeatedly

5.) I trained Raheem Sterling on his finishing over the last year

6.) Forget number 5

Bob N16

Marc, I’m not sure that we should be reacting to his comments, ignoring him is no doubt the best policy. Any sort of response probably gives him a semi, which gives him something to work with. Not a happy image!

Redtruth

Bob

Germany winning three World Cups prior to Ozil is how i explain it.

tee

redmoron, the same Germany comprising of ozil and his ilk won the 2014 world cup.

Marc

Bob

I’m sitting here deciding whether to go with a curry or some of the excellent home made Gazpacho I made yesterday and you’ve just put me off eating – Cheers mate!

Cesc Appeal

Vintage Gun

I will never understand the whole thing with Arteta this summer. Baffling.

Thankfully sense prevailed. Pedro says the safe option, it was the sane option.

Redtruth

Germany won the world Cup in 2014 inspite of Ozil and his ilk.

Wallace

Marc

“If we use the money to bring in a better player – the wide player we desperately need for example who won’t he look good to?”

all the young kids coming through – AM-N, Nelson, Nketiah etc – who look up to Iwobi, and see that if they work hard they will get the chance?

sell Welbeck if you want to raise funds for a winger, not the young guy who’s shown enough promise over the last two seasons to be a more than useful squad player at the very least.

Cesc Appeal

Sane, Havertz, Brandt should be what Germany look to as their attacking midfield.

Havertz was only 18 this season and managed 22 appearances for Leverkusen getting 3 goals and 8 assists.

Germany will be just fine, Ozil is painfully one dimensional for the modern game.

TR7

Germany won the 2014 world cup despite Ozil ,not because of him. He was shunted out wide for some reason.

Cesc Appeal

Yeah thanks to Germany for that 2014 formation because that meant Wenger went with the 4-1-MESS-1.

Pierre

Mesut Ozil quitting the German national team is just another excuse for another holiday…

Marc

Wallace

Well firstly I wouldn’t be surprised to see both of them sold. Secondly in professional sport you’re either good enough or not. You think we’d suddenly be unattractive to youngsters? Just look at those around us (OK above us!).

Bob N16

Redruth,
Ozil Khedira, Boateng,
France 2018 the list is too long to mention….

By highlighting ‘Ozil and his ilk’ you simply come across as a racist. Your argument does not stand up. The fact that Germany has previously won World Cups is not an argument.

Cut out the racist crap.

Cesc Appeal

Iwobi has had two seasons and has been meh, I doubt any youngster will cry over being given two years to prove themselves.

Bob N16

Sorry Marc!

Pierre

Yeah.. Ozil is definately “painfully one dimensional”… What a waste of space..

Bob N16

Right decision by Ozil….better for Arsenal as well.

Pierre

Marc
“Marko.. You can’t blame the entire Germany debacle solely on Ozil.”

Why not.. Of course ozil is to blame… Marko knows.

Receding hairline

I am not a bit surprised with what I am reading here regarding Ozil and his decision to quit. Not even a little.

I know the sought of people who post here. I think I will call it a night here before I say something I really don’t want to

Redtruth

The fact Germany suffered their worst World Cup since 1938 proves the immigrants in the team lacked quality, power and bottle

TR7

‘all the young kids coming through – AM-N, Nelson, Nketiah etc – who look up to Iwobi, and see that if they work hard they will get the chance?’

Iwobi is woefully average. Just because he has come through our academy doesn’t give him any divine right to get chance after chance.

Victorious

“Germany won the 2014 world cup despite Ozil ,not because of him. He was shunted out wide for some reason.”

Wondering why he was even shunted to anywhere in the team,should have been benched altogether,not like he was important to team, even had zero assist all tourney .. after all Germany won the cup despite him not because of him, makes total sense

Pierre

Victorious
“Dunno really..he created 7 chances alone in their last group stage game”

Chance created stat is a complete load of bollocks..how do I know…. Marko said..

Wallace

Marc

“Secondly in professional sport you’re either good enough or not. You think we’d suddenly be unattractive to youngsters? ”

all of our good youngsters namecheck Iwobi. it’s obvious his making the breakthrough is a big thing for them. same as when van Gaal got shot of Welbeck the Utd fans weren’t too happy about it, even though he was far from a vital player for them.

Pierre

Victorious
“,not like he was important to team, even had zero assist all tourney ..”

Make up your mind vic.. Creating chances, assists…. Important or not….

Anyway assist stat must be pointless…

Or is the assist stat only important when ozil has no assists…

TR7

‘all of our good youngsters namecheck Iwobi. it’s obvious his making the breakthrough is a big thing for them. same as when van Gaal got shot of Welbeck the Utd fans weren’t too happy about it, even though he was far from a vital player for them.’

Virtue signalling over merit in football too ?

WengerEagle

United fans didn’t give a shite when Welbeck was sold, think it was Mourinho who mentioned that he would have liked to work with him as well as Javier Hernandez.

Save to say that they were right not to miss him, just as we would be without Iwobi.

Victorious

Chance created stat is a complete load of bollocks..how do I know…. Marko said..”

Oh wait…
must it be same Marko who had Meyer destined for greatness and would be out best midfielder if he signed for us ..and what do you know months after the end of season,guy still a bosman with no club in sight

Must be very clueless then this Marko we talking about here

WengerEagle

Iwobi would be mocked if he played for another team, he really is poor.

Marc

Bob

Don’t worry about it – I’ve gotten over it and made the executive decision to have a bowl of Gazpacho to start followed by a curry.

Redtruth

Ozil creating chances ended with Arsenal finishing 6th and Germany bottom of the Group.

Victorious

Pierre

Pretty sad ain’t it? Stats been selectively use on here to suit arguments

Bob N16

Redruth, by highlighting ‘the immigrants’ you’re effectively saying the non immigrants should not be taken to task.

You’re certainly falling in with the current political climate where immigrants should are blamed by a significant minority around Europe. I prefer to judge on how someone acts rather than their ethnic background.

N'Gambo

Um, Erdogan was elected as leader in a general election, right? Teresa May hasn’t been.

And Julian Assange still holed up in the embassy – and you’re talking about press freedom.

Fricking hypocrites.

Wallace

TR7

“Virtue signalling over merit in football too ?”

the f*ck’s ‘virtue signalling’?

he scored the goal that took Nigeria to the World Cup didn’t he? I’m not saying he should be starting, but he’s definitely good enough to be an important member of the squad, and as i said, just turned 22yrs old. Lingard was 24 before he started getting regular games for Utd, and after that England.

Wallace

and no way Emery sells Iwobi before having a look at him in training first.

R.S.P.C.Arsenal

Really hope Eddie gets a chance this season… the lad has goals in him….

WengerEagle

‘he scored the goal that took Nigeria to the World Cup didn’t he? ‘

Did he? They qualified 5 points clear of 2nd placed Zambia in the group…

Wallace

“On 7 October 2017, Iwobi scored for Nigeria in a 1–0 win over Zambia to secure the Super Eagles a spot in the 2018 FIFA World Cup in Russia.”

TR7

‘he’s definitely good enough to be an important member of the squad, and as i said, just turned 22yrs old.’

He just doesn’t have the talent to become a good footballer. That he has age on his side matters little. As for Lingard, he is nothing special,overhyped just like Dele Alli.

WengerEagle

Draw would have qualified them too though if the gap was 5 points no?

WengerEagle

I would snap Lazio’s hand off for any half decent offer for Iwobi.

HillWood

Michael 62
The Life Of Brian is the best film ever made

Redtruth

Wallace
“On 7 October 2017, Iwobi scored for Nigeria in a 1–0 win over Zambia to secure the Super Eagles a spot in the 2018 FIFA World Cup in Russia.”

Taken from Wikipedia lol

Hitman

So it’s fine for Merkel May and the Queen too have their photo taken with Erdogan but Ozil needs to be punished for doing the same.
There really are some cretins out there.

Wallace

Ozil for Germany:

– 23 goals and 40 assists in 92 appearances
– 5 times German national team player of the year
– World Cup winner 2014
– Helped take Germany to semis in World Cup 2010, Euro 2012 and 2016.

WengerEagle

Shame he’s a flake for Arsenal then isn’t it.

Batistuta

The Dfb president must be a cretin for calling Ozil a ”goat fucker”, good to see Arsenal fans online sticking up for Mesut

Wallace

“Shame he’s a flake for Arsenal then isn’t it.”

🙂 do what makes you happy, Weagle. don’t feel tied to Arsenal because a friend told you they were cool when you were twelve.

Dissenter

Receding
I asked the question what other club will start with buy Iwobi as a starter
No one is yet to give me a reply.

He’s just a squad filler, like El nene. He’ should get games here and there, nothing more.
…and I don’t believe Lazio will sell Felipe Anderson for £35 million and then waste 20 million of that on Iwobi. It’s not happening my friend.

steve

Ozil is such a wet blanket player. A quiter.

Dissenter

Bob N16
“Dissenter, ‘I’m sorry I hurt your puny Arsenal feelings’.What a dick splash! What does that insult even mean?”

There was no insult there. Some people just don’t like any criticisms leveled at Arsenal.
That didn’t stop you from lobbing some delicate stuff my way though. Have a nice day.
Iwobi is still bang average though. Good enough to fill the home grown quota only.

Batistuta

steve

Maybe if you took out time to read his statement you’d maybe have a clue but what do i know, this place is a bottomless pit of negativity

Michael24

Irrespective of Ozils lengthy press release, he must also look at himself in all of this and ask the question – What am I doing wrong? His general persona and actions both on and off the football pitch are, to be honest, questionable. Granted, we are all different and react and act to things based on our upbringing and beliefs. With Ozil though, it must be said that he needs a ruddykick up the backside on a regular basis for things to sink in. On the field of play his languid and lazy style frustrates and angers many. Sublime skills… Read more »

Chika

There is outrage because two popular people with same ancestral ties met an event and took a picture together.

People will always find a reason to moan.

KAY Boss

Good for Ozil to quit. Some ingratitude shown to him by leading figures in their FA. Also their media (very pathetic), a so called political party(AfD). Not forgetting the German public all because of a photograph.
Perhaps, he’s right. “when Germany wins, he’s German but when they lose he’s an immigrant”.
It’ll also help him focus on the club though.

mysticleaves

Shit ozil average on whoscored over 44 appearances last season = 7.32

World class “best singing since Viera” Keita average on whoscored over 42 appearances = 7.37

David Smith

This is a bit more than a whinge from Ozil, look below the surface and he deserves respect and praise for what he has done.
Already calls in Germany for Grindel and Bierhof to be sacked over this.

mysticleaves

Chika, to think that people here, supposedly Arsenal fans are using it to demean Ozil is cringe worthy.

I will probably get banned when from le grove when Ozil has a great season this season because I will give Marko, CA and Gambon a lot of shit and I won’t be civil

Pierre

Batistuta
“president must be a cretin for calling Ozil a ”goat fucker”, good to see Arsenal fans online sticking up for Mesut”

There are many intelligent Arsenal fans out there and a minority of ignorant ones who seem to think it’s clever to criticise everything Arsenal and (going by many of the comments ) sadly most of the ignorant ones are on le grove…

The saying ” ignorance is bliss ” is perfect for the likes of marko, WE, Gambon, Ruth ,Ufraud ,CA and Dissenter ……apologies if I have left anyone out ….oh yeah ..Steve (ignorant or what ).

Cesc Appeal

‘I won’t be civil’

Trembling.

R.S.P.C.Arsenal

Germany gone xenophobic over ozil, it ain’t racist….

They can’t keep picking turkey , Poland , ausrtain players… then saying they are good germansvwhen all’is well.

Always has been a nasty bullying country.

Marko

all the young kids coming through – AM-N, Nelson, Nketiah etc – who look up to Iwobi, and see that if they work hard they will get the chance?

Jesus you talk some absolute shite. Not to worry they’ve still got Bellerin to look up to.

mysticleaves

“Whether he was badly advised, or he just didn’t think it through, when you align with a tyrant, you’ve opened yourself up to criticism”

Still looking for where Pedro alluded to Theresa May and the queen opening themselves up to criticism for hosting Erdogun.

Have even googled searched the meeting Ozil said happened with Matheus and a supposed world leader and i can’t see anything. Wonder why the press didn’t catch on it.

I bet Gundagon is feeling stupid now for rushing out to make a statement like a proper pussy.

Hitman

A bit disrespectful to Ozil too call this a whinge. This is serious stuff.
‘Kick it out’ is just liberal feel good window dressing.
It meaningless platitude when the head of FA can have such views.

mysticleaves

‘Trembling.’

Don’t

Pierre

Michael 24 “On the field of play his languid and lazy style frustrates and angers many. Sublime skills are irrelevant if you can’t be bothered to do a bit of the dirty work.The fact that he’s on an astronomical amount of money at Arsenal and has been a luxury in the German team for so long, just goes over the guys head.Take some responsibility Mesut and grow some balls and remember, those that question you are generally doing it because they are pissed off with your attitude, not your fudging ancestral roots” Sorry Michael /Graham but after the above comment… Read more »

Marko

Marc contrary to what certain types say I don’t hold Ozil solely responsible for Germany being knocked out I blame him and a half dozen players and Low most of all. But he does get some blame because he was poor like many others. Certain types deflect any sort of blame from him for some reason

Cesc Appeal

Theresa May leader of Great Britain greeting a foreign leader and Ozil professional footballer going to meet Erdogan.

Yep, same thing.

F**k sake.

Marko

Anyway assist stat must be pointless…Or is the assist stat only important when ozil has no assists…

8 and 9 assists the last two seasons simply not good enough

mysticleaves

England supporters accuse their players of playing turd kick and run football yet the one example amidst many they could look to follow in Ozil they castigate him for doing or playing the way they want their NT to play. The irony…

Marko

Pierre Pretty sad ain’t it? Stats been selectively use on here to suit arguments

I agree with Vic for once

mysticleaves

CA, if you met Erdogun and he asked you for a pic would you say no? Yeah right.

How convenient you didn’t discuss the Matheus issue he raised too.