Ozil comfortable at home. Do Arsenal now have one of the best attacking units in England?

Morning all.

So that’s that, a bit of news many of us wanted confirmed, Mesut Ozil is staying for another three years after this season. During his time at Arsenal he’s made 182 appearances, scored 36 goals and notched up 61 assists. The latter two factoids would be much greater if A) he had more self belief when a scoring opportunity arises and B) he’d had more clinical finishers around him. I’m not knocking the players we’ve had during Ozil’s time at Arsenal but since joining in 2013, it took until last summer for Arsene Wenger to sign a striker with high credentials in Lacazette. Even he’s struggling in front of goal though having started so well but similar to Ollie, the service he’s given has hardly been the best. Now though the German has different guy to aim for in Aubameyang, who brings something different to Lacazette. Two top strikers in the side should make for exciting viewing. Shouldn’t it? Certainly next season I’d say when the three of them, plus Mkhitaryan have all spent time together in training. None are young, none are inexperienced so with a bit of luck, they’ll work out how to play together themselves rather than rely on our dear French manager.

On paper, I’d say we potentially have one of the best attacking unit in the Premier League, baring City. Frustratingly so though, we probably have one of the worst defensive units in the League. Not player wise as I’ve suggested before, although it needs upgrading in the summer, but as far as being disorganised and undisciplined. Both our defence and midfield is desperately crying out for a leader, an organiser, a player who can sort things out as the game goes along. Someone who when/if we concede a goal will drag their mates chins off the floor and get them going again. Not someone who just shrugs their shoulders as if to accept what’s just happened. An Adams, Vieira, Keown or Campbell, all big characters who didn’t care about anything other than getting a goal back and getting the game won. Only two of those were our captain, but to lead, one doesn’t need a piece of material around the arm, they are born with it.

Most of our lot are too nice, a reflection of the manager I know, but these are grown men, where is their fight and passion? Did Xhaka switch off during a game whilst captaining Borussia Mönchengladbach? Was Koscielny born to give up? Mustafi had a bit of grit to him, as did Gabriel but one was sold, and the other has morphed into a typical Arsene Wenger defender post 2005. (Ish) As for Bellerin, well gawd knows what’s happened to him and the same can be said of Kolasinac and he’s only been at the club for six months.

Ramsey doesn’t seem to know what he’s meant to be doing but at least Elneny tries to defend when required. Why he was subbed against Swansea instead of Iwobi I’ll never know, actually, I don’t even know why Iwobi even gets selected. It’s certainly not on merit is it? Or do any of you truly believe his selection is justified? Perhaps Iwobi is the reason Marcus McGuane decided it was time for a new club.

Monreal remains reliable though so thanks goodness for that eh. Wilshere too. I wonder what’s happening with his contract situation as I’d have thought the club would have sorted that by now. If he stays fit for the rest of the season and then walks for free, I doubt they’ll be too many happy fans out there. He’s the guy who I believe should be given the captains armband after Merts retires because I sure as heck wouldn’t give it to anyone else in midfield or defence!

Mesut Ozil said he wants to help us really compete with the best and he wants to win more than just the three FA Cup medals he has and he feels at home. Ah, he feels at home, probably just like so many other players at the club. Home means comfortable, safe but happy, well, it does for most of us.

Seriously, give our lot a rocket up their backsides and a whole bunch of ideas on how to play as a team and we’d see improvement. Give the defenders and midfielders a specific job to do and they’ll do it. Work in training on how to deal with set-pieces and crosses and they’ll soon put it in to practice. Give them a concrete plan and the chances are they’ll execute it. Watch previous matches involving the upcoming opposition to highlight their strengths and weaknesses, or the way they play both home and away depending on where the next game takes place, well that would be novel wouldn’t it? How about dumping players who continually make mistakes during a match on the bench and give someone else a chance? That might take them out of their comfort zone eh!

We face Everton at The Emirates tomorrow evening and I bet many of us know what Big Sam’s approach will be. Defend strongly and hit us on the break. Theo Walcott will be out to prove a point to Wenger and he’ll be full of confidence after his brace in midweek. Twelve years at Arsenal and I think it’s fair to say, he hardly improved during that time, in fact many seldom do.

Here’s a question to leave you with. Who was the last player to join Arsenal post 1996 that has left us or retired having become a better player during his time at the club?