So I guess Ozil just shows up to training every day and jogs around a bit? Has a laugh, goes and bangs his ridiculous wife and ends the day on some Fortnite. He may or may not look for a new tattoo in between. I kind of respect that.
I'm not defending him, he carries plenty of the blame for being left out. But I bet it would be difficult for a veteran player to give absolutely everything in training every day (which is what Arteta requires) if you know you aren't going to get picked in the squad no matter what.
It’s pretty clear the fallout started when they had the zoom calls during the lockdown and a few supposedly couldn’t bother to participate. Instead of trying to make amends, he sulked like always Cashed out and gave up
Arteta has already shown, several times, that players are capable of playing their way back into the squad. Özil is still the most talented player on the pitch. It’s on him 100%
So take a little less money and go to a different club where you can play? Or does he just want to sit in his house counting all his money? I think it's the latter.
LOL, fair enough. I was going to make a Scrooge McDuck reference for him but it fails on that account. He's diving into her instead of a mountain of gold coins.
i don’t feel like fighting the whole board over Ozil, it’s too exhausting. If he could go somewhere and make a little less money, he probably would. But I think he would have to take a LOT less money, and he’s not going to do that. It was stupid to offer him that contract and now it is coming back to bite the club. I still think Ozil can play, and could help the team in some games. But I understand what Arteta is trying to build and why he isn’t playing him. And I think Arteta is right. I was an Arsenal fan long before Ozil arrived (1995, I came with Bergkamp) and will be an Arsenal fan long after he leaves. But the heart wants what it wants, and I love watching Ozil play.
I’m not trying to fight about it either, I’m just curious what makes you think he can still play? because even when he was playing under both Emery and Arteta he just looked like a shell of himself to me. and there was no production.
Yeah I don’t think anyone is fighting you. It’s a shit situation were not getting out of. Paid him, played chicken, Ozil won. He won a WC, makes millions and he clearly doesn’t give a fuck. It’s unfortunate but no one anywhere is taking him on especially considering how the game has evolved since he’s signed the deal. He’s not a coveted commodity any longer.
When I say “fight” I mean it good-naturedly. I genuinely enjoy the interaction with everyone on this board (& I miss rainey). Why do I think he can still play? The short answer is because that is my opinion and I am always right. The real answer is I don’t think he CAN play in Arteta’s team/system. He does not fit. The complete answer that you deserve is the exhausting one that will take a while. Maybe I will tackle it on Sunday, though it’s not really interesting enough for anyone to care about.
Arteta catered to him when he arrived, he tried to get the player that was once Ozil. He once again became Ozil the cunt and will never play again, fuck him.
You just told the story of how I became interested in Arsenal. My uncle gave me a Soccer America magazine that had Bergkamp on the cover and it was love at first site. I get it with Ozil too and would love to see him get his shit together.
I think everyone in here is pretty much on board with this sentiment. We all have differing opinions about the club, players & the right path forward. We've all been pretty respectful, over the years. I try to keep my anti-USMNT schtick out of here, as it's mostly tongue in cheek & aimed at annoying our opposing fans (SugarShaun excluded, as he's pretty much one of us). I could care less about international football... Spoiler But US soccer does suck, apart from Pulisic & Gio
As a fellow hater of USMNT you’ll always get a like out of me. As will the 5 corresponding fuck you replies. Those exchanges always kill me. But honestly outside CP I don’t get most of the references. I also don’t understand how anyone can watch MLS. I commend you if you can, wish I could get into it.
MLS is a pretty rough watch but occasionally there’s an entertaining match on a League 1 / Championship level of drunkenness
I tend to miss a lot of MLS matches on tv. Love going to them but if I’m not in person it’s 50/50 if I watch. But I also have watched Championship and Eredivisie on ESPN+ so I’m willing to watch basically whatever they put on
Article on The Athletic today about who former Arsenal players think is most needed, Partay or Aouar. 4 out of 5 picked Partey. I get it, but it just doesn’t seem like Arsenal without the offensive creativity. Give me Aouar
maybe Partey makes this year’s team better, maybe even next year. but you won’t convince me he’s a better investment for the club. Aouar has star potential. get him while you can, play 3 CBs to protect the midfield and the CBs themselves and next year you hope Saliba and Gabriel are ready to play as a 2 and look for your Partey-type player to play in front of them.
I know people are shitting on the Jorginho link but if we get Aouar, I wouldn't mind him coming instead of Partey. Arteta didn't dismiss the link obviously I think Partey is elite but if we solve the creative block issues with Aouar, Jorginho ain't a bad bet for some games. I just hope Apuar is less greedy at holding the ball a bit too much if he comes to arsenal.
They’re definitely answering the question for the squads immediate need. If they were the same age and price I’d probably lean Partey. Leak fewer goals and free up some defensive responsibility elsewhere
Partey solves more problems & solidifies the spine of our team for the next 3 years. He’s more important to the Arteta project. He might be enough for top 4, but... The correct answer is both. We should beg, borrow & steal to make that happen. That would all but guarantee it.
So everyone is celebrating Aouar agreeing to personal terms, now we just have to sort out that 60m asking price with a stubborn seller
He cant be as stubborn when Lyon are down in dumps. They were counting on raising money by selling Memphis to Barcelona but that doesn't seem like it's going to happen. They also need a defender and are trying to get Umtiti so they need $$$ somehow and the best way for them to make any is by selling Aouar. IMO it'll be 45 plus addons.
Hope Laurens has the goods like he usually does with french news. Romano still saying 60 mil which isn't gonna happen.
Romano is not as privy to things as he likes to potray. he just "confirms" things when other tier 1s have chimed in. Tap in merchant