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Wenger Discusses Keeping Ozil At No.10 Or Moving Him Back Out Wide

By on September 26, 2014

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Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger has admitted he’s tempted to keep Mesut Ozil at No.10 against Tottenham tomorrow but maintains the German will play where needed to balance his team.

Fans lambasted the boss for playing our £42m record signing on the wing during the early stages of the season, with the 25-year-old putting in some poor displays from out wide.

Ozil was finally deployed in his preferred central role against Aston Villa last weekend and predictably put in a Man of the Match display as he opened the scoring before setting up Danny Welbeck for the second.

Many had hoped that would be enough to persuade Wenger to keep the German international in the ‘hole’ for tomorrow’s huge North London derby against Tottenham.

However, while Arsene has admitted Ozil did well against Villa and looks to have a good understanding with Welbeck, he’s hinted that the former Real Madrid man could be shunted back to the wing if he feels it’s best for the balance of the team.

Wenger told reporters:

“Ozil played very well against Aston Villa and showed a good understanding with Danny Welbeck.

“There is a good partnership there, they gave each other goals to score and it was an interesting experience.

“It is tempting to keep him in that central role but I maintain he will play where needed for the balance of the team and that can change game by game.”

I’d be hugely disappointed if Arsene decided to put Ozil back out wide tomorrow as it’s clear he is far more effective from the middle. He does like to drift wide during the game, but he can only be allowed the kind of freedom he needs to find pocks of space when deployed in the No.10 role.

I get that Arsene is trying to figure out a way to get Aaron Ramsey and Jack Wilshere in the team, but it shouldn’t be done to the detriment of our most talented player and ultimately, the good of the team.

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