via @arsenal
So, what shall we talk about today? Oh… squad lists.
Mesut Özil has been bombed from our Premier League squad list until February at the very least, but the chances are, that’s him finished forever at Arsenal FC.
It’s always a shame to watch someone push the self-destruct button on their career, and let’s be clear, that’s exactly what Mesut Özil has done to himself.
Most of his downfall is related to one thing… a lack of application. This is not an ability problem, he’s one of the most capable footballers to have lived. No, the issue is he simply doesn’t want to apply himself in 2020.
Arsene Wenger, the mollycoddler in chief, decided that he’d let him take tough away days off. Unai Emery knew the German wouldn’t do a shift, so he attempted to exit him in Jan 2019, then he lost his bottle, reinstated him, and his job shortly after. Freddie couldn’t stand him.
Then Mikel landed.
He knew what might happen because everyone at the club explained. After playing most of the games pre-lockdown, the old Mesut, lurking in the wings, reared his uninterested head. He apparently missed team Zoom calls, he didn’t do the homework the club set/tracked, and those ‘injuries’ didn’t go unnoticed.
Additionally, he didn’t play the game on the pay cuts, deciding that he’d need more info on how Arsenal losing £90m in gate revenue might affect the finances. Now, I doubt this was the main sticking point. Auba, Kola, and Mustafi were also apparently against the move. The problem, I think, is that when you are trying to build a united culture, having your most high profile player doing all of the earlier explained issues, plus not accepting a pay cut, can cause optics issues.
I know some people will say he was correct on the pay cuts. On reflection, sure, we fucked-up our restructure and the comms were atrocious. However, football is a team game. Mesut Ozil didn’t take the cut, the young players did. That might seem ‘clever’ to some, but the reality is, he just looked like a selfish individual while everyone else is pulled for the greater good.
Performance on the pitch was also a problem. He is not the same player he was 5 years ago. He’s a traditional #10 in a world that doesn’t allow for them. Andy Carroll managed more assists last season than Özil has managed in two. He simply doesn’t impact games in the way he used to. Remember, he went from blowing it up with Giroud, to tanking with… Auba. All his stats cratered.
A lot of people are trying to insinuate this move is about his righteous attack on the Chinese for their disgraceful treatment of the Uighurs. Again, I’m not so sure. He played games after that happened. This is a player that also had a brutal human rights abuser at his wedding. He also avoided blowback then as well.
He’s out because of football reasons. He doesn’t apply himself, he’d prefer to win cheap PR points than fight to get back in the team. The whole drama is just so fucking boring.
Arteta is trying to create a high-performance culture at Arsenal. One that we’ve lacked for years. People that work alone tend not to understand what goes into creating an elite team culture, which is why the beta male types that had it so absurdly wrong when it came to talents like, say, Arsene Wenger… still have it wrong with Mesut Özil. An artful quip does not make a good manager, just like a high salary and a ‘READY’ tweet does not make an elite #10 in 2020.
In a high-performance culture, every single cog in your machine needs to be at the very top of its game. Any weakness brings down everyone else. Mesut Özil is now a weak cog. He doesn’t think the rules apply to him. If Arteta gives him a pass, he gives everyone a pass, he loses authority, and performance levels dip.
Elite culture is about setting agreed standards, holding people accountable to them, and acting swiftly if people step out of line. We finally have a coach that will do that. Very few in elite level sport have been around a more extreme performance-driven setup than Arteta had been at Manchester City. He’s not guessing, he knows. So let’s trust that he has this covered.
What is clear is this: Arteta has to crack creativity. We need to find internal solutions. Willian has to look like value. Thomas Partey can’t simply be a defensive shield. We need our attack to progress, otherwise, the Öziltologists will start petitions and writers from the Crouch-End-Beyond-Meat-bacon-sarnie-set will start making poetic noises about our heathen manager that they’ll claim only goes to battle with barbarian pillagers. We can’t have that. Let’s hope Arteta can simply prove out that he was right by delivering us a ‘now’ solution that’ll lay to rest a miserable 3 years of Mesut Özil.
Right, see you in the comments.
Marc,
If you want to be facetious you should have said Turkey, Fortnite, Arsenal. 😉
Bale as model professional, the mind boggle!
Dissenter Ozil may appeal to the awkward brigade or Arsenal critics, but the majority of supporters have now reached the same conclusion as we did with Wenger that he is past his sell by date and moved on. I am fairly sure that the owners, senior management and Arteta have reached the same conclusion. Mertesacker would not have opened his mouth unless this was the opinion at the club. The club has not behaved badly or disloyally but have reached the conclusion that Ozil does not merit a place in team or squad and life moves on albeit at a… Read more »
Pierre, in the most affectionate way possible – Short Pier, Long Walk – Do one.
Valentin
Just banter – nothing more.
Luteo,
Congrats on the little one.
Though it will be hard to catch a decent night’s sleep for a little while!
“It will not give me any pleasure to again remind them in a couple of months time , that the lack of creativity they are witnessing is what they asked for and what they deserve.” Then don’t? Why do you lie that it won’t give you pleasure though? You’ve been obvious in that aspect as long as the rest of us have recognized it’s been obvious Ozil was done as a footballer at the highest level. The fact you think fans deserve bad football because they don’t praise and fellate Ozil at every opportunity shows where you really stand on… Read more »
Today on Le Grove reminds me of the day it was announced Wenger was leaving .
Me too a great day a happy day.
Words, Marko. Cheers thank you. It’s a good day for me and for the rest as well I hope, despite Pierre’s best efforts.
Luteo
Congratulations to you for the new baby Gooner you have ushered into this world.
May the great Bergkamp bring him a prosperous footballing life!
Ozil is frankly in the same boat as Jack Wilshire or Santi Cazorla.. The club decided that he is no longer good enough to play for club.
Interestingly both Wilshire and Cazorla accepted the decision and still love the club. Let us hope that Ozil at the end of his career will grow to appreciate the club in same way.
Luteo
And congratulations to your wife as well. 🙂
I commended Arsenal then for their decision to move on from Wenger, and I again today commend Arsenal for moving on from Ozil. Both individuals represented the gooey side of football and have served no other purpose than to highlight why you should never ever again give any Manager that much control and power and, why you should never ever again give in to any player based on fear of what life may look like without said player.
We get a great mix of posters on here from all different walks of life who offer great angles and opinions on so many subjects. The one thing we’re missing is a psychiatrist to give a clinical view of Pierre’s behaviour – pretty sure it would be most interesting.
So as per usual when something needs doing it takes a salesman to get it done. Here is a professional response to Pierre’s comments on here:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h8BEyPzHsVo
Real Madrid even if not fully up to strength trailing at home 0-2 to the Shakhtar kids.
Been dodgy for a long while now as their two defeats to Man City last season testifies to.
Ishola
The football world does seem a bit er what’s the word oh yeah MAD at the moment.
Well that whole Ozil saga has gone up another level. He really is shameless to actually state rhat he was “loyal” to the club. Someone loyal would have worked his socks off on the training ground to prove that he is capable of meeting the new standards. Unfortunately for the lazy sod, the new regimen was way tougher (but fairer) than Emery’s. So what did he do? He did what he does best: sulk and feel done by. I saw it from day 1 of his new contract that the fuck would do his all to keep his hands on… Read more »
Real Madrid have been off for quite a while now.
These Shakhtar kids look so much more hungry in this match do far.
Say what you want about Emery but he called his fuck out…. and others…
he did the anti wenger- so thank you Unai….
Ernest
” why you should never ever again give any Manager that much control and power and, why you should never ever again give in to any player based on fear of what life may look like without said player”
You are being very naive I’m afraid.
Arteta is in total control , being elevated from coach to manager is evidence of that, and we have just given Aubameyang a 300 grand contract ” for fear of life without said player”
Shakhtar are shitting all over Real Madrid.
Excellent third goal for them.
Breaking through Real Madrid at will
@ Pierre
It’s an absolute delight Wenger has gone.
I don’t think anyone that wanted him gone is pining for the days of insipid Soft Arsenal anchored in midfield by the supine Ozil, while getting embarrassed by anyone from Stoke to Manchester City.
No one with a brain expected us to tear up the champions League overnight.
As for Ozil what more can be said he’s been slated enough he’s like a psycho ex that simply won’t fuck off and get the picture it’s over.
So refreshing to see Shaktar play with pace and intensity. This guy Menor Solomon is very impressive.
Guns of sf
“Say what you want about Emery but he called his fuck out…. and others…he did the anti wenger- so thank you Unai…”
Yeah right whoo hoo
Pierre
Why do you love Ozil so much? its like the LG riddle that no one can solve
The only fear for Shakhtar here is if their coach starts getting them to be too consevative in the second half.
Play as they have been so far and they can get at least another goal in this match.
Pierre catches alot of shit on his views about Ozil but you’ll find him bang on the money on those who thought it a day for jubilation when Wenger was announced to be leaving.as refreshing as it would seem at the time, how much progress have we made though?
We’re currently playing the type of football that can make you long for a old past it brand of Wengerball,quite telling.
Who is everyone talking about?
Madrid and their overrated coach getting owned…
TR7
“So refreshing to see Shaktar play with pace and intensity. This guy Menor Solomon is very impressive.”
Granted Real Madrid are off themselves but as you say very impressive how quickly Shakhtar go on the offensive en masse.
Something Arsenal are not capable of unfortunately because of lack of pace in certain players.
Congrats Luteo ! My best wishes to the little one
Clutching at straws again, eh Pierre. The vast wilderness between the two scenarios only lays bare your morbid sense of affection for Sugar Daddy Wenger and Ozil The Implausible.
The best thing going for you these days is that you can do a Garanimals switch up of pyjama tops and bottoms with your Twins of Passion Ozil and Wenger sets.
You are fast running out of Faves in your perverted little game of one-upmanship. Who ya got left in your honey sack of rejects now?
Guns of SF Its.all a game …i don’t even like Ozil, its just a wind up and they fall for it everytime. I come on here to wind the patrons up and it’s so easy to do . Mention Wenger or Ozil and bang …all hell is let loose.. Occasionally I will give Le Grove the benefit of my football wisdom .which many appreciate on here , but Ozil nah , he’s a waste of space and has been for years, though i do find the over reaction very childish. I’ll just have to find another avenue to wind you… Read more »
‘Something Arsenal are not capable of unfortunately because of lack of pace in certain players.’
Yeah I was thinking exactly the same watching Shakhtar guys. All their mids, wingers and forwards can run and attack in numbers. We are too slow, pedestrian and lethrgic in comparison.
“ Occasionally I will give Le Grove the benefit of my football wisdom .which many appreciate on here , but Ozil nah , he’s a waste of space and has been for years, though i do find the over reaction very childish.”
Holy shit Pierre has seriously lost the plot. This is an embarrassing attempt to save face, the only way it could have been worse is if he sent an imaginary friend to say it for him instead.
TR7
“So refreshing to see Shaktar play with pace and intensity.”
Aah pace and intensity…like music to my ears.
We may even get someone to mention composure and technique with a little vision and skill …
Come to think of it
Pace, intensity, composure , skill, technique, vision are just what Arsenal could do with at this moment in time
Anyone have any ideas who could bring that to the side?
So long suckers.
DB10, TR7 thanks so much 🙏 all I did was wait while my wife carried and delivered a child though. Pierre is having the far rougher week obviously.
“Occasionally I will give Le Grove the benefit of my football wisdom”
Now that is the funniest you have ever said, Pierre! Bravo good man, Bravo!
“Holy shit Pierre has seriously lost the plot.L
He’s actually quite sincere Luteo, he really does come on toLeGrove for shits and giggles. How else can anyone explain making martyrs of Wenger and Ozil to the extent that he does? To be taken seriously would actually be an insult to Pierre.
Luka you lil bad man what a strike.
Plot twist: Pierre never liked Ozil. It was all an elaborate ruse.
1 star.
Real Madrid pressing now which they didn’t do in the first half.
Nice play from Modric.
Should have been 4-1 there, Solomon again showing good skills on the ball.
Should have been four for Shakhtar.
Sitter from the striker.
“Plot twist: Pierre never liked Ozil. It was all an elaborate ruse.L
Then who, pray tell, is this creative genius he speaks of that can lift The Arsenal from its offensive funk???
Things that make you go – never mind
Game on 2-3 Madrid.
And Pierre has just revealed how self centred and self entitled he is with his trolling for 3+ years (And more really. It’s 5-6 years at least) non stop.
Pierre, you will fall off that high horse of yours one day.
End to end best group stage match in….?
Another clear chance for Shakhar.
Should have notched five here.
Being a arsenal supporter all my life the way arsenal football club treat their players is nothing more than disloyal. Most players are loyal to the club and some only in it for the money
They expect them to play well all the time we all have good and bad days so kicking them to kerb like they have mesult ozil is disgusting.
Militao playing like an idiot
What a shame.
The baby Shakhtar keeper fucks up.
Shakhtars Tetê looks good…fast and creative. Maybritt Edu can lurk him over…
What a cracking game this one
heh heh,
Chalked off. Good.
Sal
I think you meant 2-3 to Shakhtar. 😉
That would be a nice upset. Don’t like the Shakhtar too much but fuck Real!!!!
Would of been harsh on Shaktar, VAR plays its role taking the fun out of the game every evening that passes.
Legendary.. indeed was too engrossed man left out the rest of sentence.
Good. Glad Real Madrid got nothing out of that.
Didn’t bother turning up for the first half.
Shakhtar should have made life easier for themselves though by going 4-1 up early in the second half.
They got some dangerous kids that Shakhtar side.
Well done Brazil C , I mean Shakhtar
What i will say is that i have deep admiration for Wenger and the football he brought to the club., I found the WOB movement damaging to the club.
But Ozil.was just a wind up …trolling at it’s very best
I can’t believe so many fools can be so gullible and couldn’t see through it.
I’d click on to Le Grove and see you all whinging about Ozil , a little obsessive comment from me was always enough to get you all going ..and you fell for it every time..
#5 Torr is a substitute for today’s match.
Come on Ajax!! It would be great if they win vs Pool of piss.
Pierre continuing his parade of humiliation. It’s hard to watch.
Glad to see your Street Cred remains intact, Pierre. For a moment you had me believing you were a sincere person.
Back to golf you old curmudgeon!
I find Sterling’s body has grown stronger. Pepe needs some of the stuffs that Sterling uses.
Pierre never go full Bamford, zero sauce or backbone in this:
“But Ozil.was just a wind up …trolling at it’s very best”
After years it was all a troll, so meek.
I supported Ozil longer than many and then I didn’t, stand up man.
Arteta. Look how easy is it to beat MC.
Pedro is 100% correct.
Leaving Ozil out of the Premier League squad is a good thing. Arteta is here for the long-term so there’s absolutely no reason playing someone who is not part of the overall plan. At least there’ll be no more questions about playing him.
The real problem for Ozil now is that like millions of gamers, he’s probably suffering from Fortnite burnout so he can’t even play that to fill up his day.
The ref doesn’t know that Sterling is an expert to induce PK calls.
This is the Ajax I like!!!
So Pierre- no Life sized ozil poster in your bedroom? No endless ozil shirts, M10 gear?
How can it be!
I’ve always liked the aggressive football style the Dutch and national teams display.
Haha no way Pierre
I don’t comment here much but I do read a lot.
The lengths you have gone to justify Ozil, and the similar way you defend him as you did Wenger…. no way it was trolling.
Either this statement is a troll, or you are actually quite pathetic.
So unfair to Ajax.
That’s a harsh own gosl…
Not deserved at all.
Seriously all this time you were trolling Pierre yeah whatever mate lol
bacaryi
We will see how long term as the season unfolds
Atalanta keeping the love flowing… 3 goals to the good in the rain of Denmark.
TheLegendaryDB10
It was stupid defending
I just love VAR today.
That Franco’s team of all teams would lose to minnows from Ukraine because VAR overruled the ref. Fuckin amazing. Who gives a shit if they have a gazillion Brazilians in their team. Am I fucking retarded to care?
Champions league should be straight knockout like the good old days.
Agree with Red Calypso there.
Ajax haven’t got their shooting boots on.
Should have had two goals in that half.
That Coman goal against Atletico……
Leno would have saved it.
Guardiola and Conceicao having their own contest who can execute more reverse tomahawk chops ever time a decision goes against their team.
I’m beginning to appreciate Villa’s Dean Smith type of touch line demeanor the more I watch this managerial, none stop shouting contest nonsense.
Pierre clearly has issues – whether it’s just basic attention seeking or something more profound who knows, he’s tried this “I’m just winding people up over Ozil before” but the truth is you can feel the venom in every comment, the unadulterated hatred of the club, management and fans who have dared to criticise, then drop and now bin Ozil or agree with those decisions.
His new line is about “expansive football” and he’s trying to slip it into comments about the upcoming matches – the truth is if Pierre was any more transparent he’d disappear.
Champions league straight in knockout would be much better.
The one legged ties this year were much more interesting.
Luteo
Congratulations to your baby and wife
Gotta admire Pierre’s attention-seeking. Unreal dedication to trolling here!
This young Ajax team has still a lot to learn. Some good offensive moments but they are positionaly very suspect which means that they are letting Pool of piss play their game with ease.
I don’t believe for one second that Pierre is just trolling
I believe he has an Ozil shrine with magazine cut-outlasted all over the wall.
Rule One Pedro????
What a sad way to spend your life – trolling, not Fortnite that is.
**I believe he has an Ozil shrine with magazine cut-outs pasted all over the wall.
China was so angry with Arsenal player Mesut Ozil, over comments he made about its treatment of Muslims, that they pulled his team’s Premier League match from the TV schedules. … It was dropped, after the Arsenal player posted on social media on Friday 13 December criticising China for its treatment of Uighur Muslims.
This might be the reason why ozil is dropped, even a lazy ozil is better then current creative players arsenal have.
Nope Jay, as was mentioned previously Ozil played 12 games after that comment so nothing to do with it.
Even jack wilshere is standing up for ozil, more to it then just being lazy.
Pierre is devastated. You can’t fake true love. He’s going to be hurting for a while.
‘China was so angry with Arsenal player Mesut Ozil, over comments he made about its treatment of Muslims, that they pulled his team’s Premier League match from the TV schedules.’
————
Chinese government is so sensitive these days my my
Trippier going to get shellacked from Simeone after this one.
Tooooooolliso.