Arsenal are asking for creativity in midfield … so is it time to call Mesut Ozil back?

These are worrying times for Arsenal who are languishing in 14th position in the Premier League after 10 games.

Mikel Arteta’s men were already doomed in their fifth Premier League loss of the Premier League season on Sunday against Wolves, but while the results certainly don’t go their way – there is something else equally unsettling about Arsenal’s minds .

Arsenal have been toothless in front of goal this season, scoring just 10 goals in as many top-level appearances, with only the last three teams holding worst records so far.

This is a far cry from the good old days under legendary manager Arsene Wenger, and there currently doesn’t seem to be an obvious fix on how Arsenal can tackle their attacking problems.

While Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and Cie continue to work without any creativity behind them, the German playmaker is the German playmaker and the club’s highest paid player with £ 350,000 per week, Mesut Ozil.

Ozil’s days in the Emirates are numbered, having not played since March and having been mercilessly expelled by Arteta from his Premier League and Europa League teams, as soon as possible to return in January.

Over time, the omission of the German World Cup winner unsurprisingly attracted more attention, with many fans and experts wondering if the most creative spark was at home doing nothing as Arsenal continues to show no threat.

Former Ozil teammate Jack Wilshere and Arsenal legend Paul Merson both think it’s time for the German to return, so Sports messaging decided to look into the reasons for and against the recall of the 32-year-old …

FOR

No one, except those behind the scenes at Arsenal, is quite sure why Ozil was sent off, but his exile will continue to be the main topic of discussion until the attacking issues of the club disappear.

Arteta has claimed to media that his omission was purely for ‘football reasons’ while taking responsibility for failing to get the most out of the former Real Madrid star.

However, Ozil’s agent – Dr Erkut Sogut – immediately attacked Arteta, accusing the Arsenal manager of not telling the truth about the player’s predicament.

After his immediate exclusion, Sports messaging reported that Ozil was convinced that after criticizing China’s alleged mistreatment of Uyghur Muslims, which sparked a backlash in the Far East, the club’s business interests in China have since contributed to their decision to l ‘exclude.

But whether it is a political decision or a purely football-based one, Arsenal fans deserve an explanation regarding the future of the club’s highest-paid player.

But enough of that. Based solely on the debates of the season so far, it’s hard to see why he’s been left out completely.

Arsenal suffered their worst start to the league campaign since 1981 – almost 40 years, and this is mainly due to their offensive woes.

The talisman and club captain Aubameyang is nowhere to be found, scoring just twice – his only open-play goal coming on the opening day of the campaign against Fulham.

Aubameyang, alongside new signing Willian and Alexandre Lacazette, has been in bad shape all season, but while they should definitely take responsibility for their shortcomings, they are not being helped by those behind.

There is a real shortage of quality in the middle of the park, with Dani Ceballos and Granit Xhaka struggling overwhelmingly to bond with the attack and unlock opposition defenses.

Arteta and Arsenal desperately searched for a playmaker in the summer transfer window, but their pursuit of Lyon star Houssem Aouar failed and they ended up signing combative Thomas Partey instead,

Although the Ghanaian is an extremely exciting addition to Arsenal’s midfielder, they still need a creator.

Under fire Willian is currently Arsenal’s biggest assistant with just three to his name, while right-back Hector Bellerin is a behind. This is simply not enough for a club built on the foundations of smooth football.

Since Ozil joined the Gunners seven years ago, he has produced 54 assists in 184 Premier League appearances while creating 65 key chances during that time.

The German had become the fastest player to reach 50 Premier League assists in 141 games in March 2018, but that has since been beaten by Kevin De Bruyne.

Ozil’s vision is there for everyone to see and as Paul Merson explained, with Partey’s protection sitting behind him, the Gunners’ outcasts could flourish in midfield if called back , because the presence of the Ghanaian would free him to provide for the needs of the attackers, who are currently feeding remains.

If Arteta chooses not to put him back in the starting XI, their only real creator right now should at least make the bench.

AGAINST

Since Ozil made the big transfer from the Spanish heavyweights from Madrid, his presence in Arsenal’s squad has divided club supporters.

While many see him as the key to unlocking defenses and delivering magic to the midfield, others continue to question his work ethic and believe his presence hinders the team in matches against the traditional Top Six. .

And it’s hard not to agree with that latter belief, and that sort of explains his absence from the starting lineup in recent seasons.

First under Unai Emery, and now under Arteta, they both decided they would be better off without the German midfielder.

In an interview with Sportsmail in May, Emery made it clear that Ozil’s commitment and attitude was not up to the standard.

Emery said: ‘In the end he has to look at himself. To his attitude and his commitment. I did my best to help Ozil. Throughout my career talented players have been my favorites and they have played their best or near their best with me.

“ I’ve always been positive with him about wanting his involvement, but the attitude he took and the levels of engagement, well, they weren’t enough. ”

With a team in decline and bullied over the years by the Big Six, Ozil can’t afford to be a passenger on Arsenal’s side.

Yes, as stated above, Partey’s presence can allow him to focus primarily on the offensive side of things, but Ozil would need even more.

Furthermore, with Ozil’s contract expiring this summer and having been ruled out until January at the earliest, the 32-year-old stay at Arsenal appears to be coming to an end.

So, is it worth using him for half a season in the Premier League knowing full well that his Arsenal days are numbered?

Arsenal need to look to the future and bringing Ozil back would only be a short-term solution, and one that doesn’t solve their long-term problems.

While Arsenal must be wise in attack, these are young guns waiting behind the scenes to grab their chance.

Emile Smith Rowe is seen as one for the future in North London, and Matteo Guendouzi is hoping for a second chance upon his return from his loan with Hertha Berlin.

But while Arteta may look closer to home to solve his creative problems, he will undoubtedly be looking to hit the market in January to find solutions – after being linked with Dominik Szoboszlai of Red Bull Salzburg, at the ‘Inter Milan and former Tottenham midfielder Christian Eriksen, while a move for Aouar is not dead in the water.

It seems highly unlikely that Arteta will bring Ozil back to the fold for a swan song …