Charlie Nicholas suggests Arsenal’s Mikel Arteta needs to get rid of Mesut Ozil

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Charlie Nicholas has told Soccer Saturday (broadcast on Sky Sports; 21/12; 12:13) that Mikel Arteta needs to get rid of Mesut Ozil when asked what he should do with the Arsenal playmaker. 

Ozil came in for criticism after his reaction to being substituted during the Gunners’ defeat to Manchester City.

He missed Saturday’s goalless draw with Everton due to injury. But Freddie Ljungberg confirmed that the former Germany international would not have featured anyway had he been fit because of what happened at the Emirates (via Sky Sports).

Arteta is the next man set to have a go at trying to get the best out of Ozil. But when asked what the incoming boss needs to do with the 31-year-old, Nicholas suggested the situation may be irreconcilable. He went on to suggest that Arteta also needs to consider the futures of some of Ozil’s teammates.

“You get rid of him. He’s had too many opportunities,” he told Soccer Saturday. “Arsenal have lacked leadership and responsibility for such a long time. It’s not about style at the moment. Arsenal don’t have a style because they can’t defend.

“Aubameyang’s all over the place. Lacazette can’t get a game, he feels unloved. So they may want to go, so you might have to sell them if they’re not happy to get some money in.

“The other issues are, the big ones, the leadership ones that he’s got to take on first is: does Ozil fit? No. Well, you can go. Xhaka, interest from Hertha Berlin I believe. You can go because what you did would not suit what I want.”

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It is too soon to write players off entirely. There are always surprises regarding players who thrive under new managers. And Arteta will know that it would be a huge boost to his chances of success if he can unleash the best of Ozil.

But some will argue that it is telling that Ozil has now struggled under a number of bosses. And it may be that Arteta can make a big statement by moving him on if the club can.