Ozil himself pretty confirmed himself a coward in his book.
Ozil
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People massively underrate him. I'm not saying his time at Arsenal has been an unmitigated triumph but he provides assist after assist and runs great distances. People are too influenced by the fact that he doesn't beat his chest too often, and even more influenced by the tremendously dim UK football media who are confused his lack of what they understand as pashun.
A few quotes from Diego Torres' book about Mourinho at Real:
'the team’s most creative player
As usual, the most complex job was allocated to Özil. The German had to cover the wing when the team did not have the ball. When possession was regained he had to move to a more central position and link up with Modrić.
Those present say that the instructions directed at Mesut Özil took up much of the meeting, Mourinho always reserving the most complex list of demands for the German midfielder. Not only was he assigned the mission of playing passes to the forwards and arriving in the box himself. He was also given the job of working defensively in three or four areas.
nobody else was given such physically demanding and tactically diverse responsibilities by Mourinho.
At 22, the young midfielder from Gelsenkirchen was a rare case in the world of elite football, which was defined as much by jealousy, individualism and internal competition as by camaraderie. Özil, who hardly spoke any Spanish but understood everything that was said to him, was admired by his team-mates. In every training session they saw him do things that other players could not do. His controls, his feints, the ease with which he played in confined spaces, his ability to find ways of passing through labyrinthine defences, his excellent touch with both feet – all these made him a player without equal. He had arrived in Spain just four months earlier and had won over the group in a short time. Removing him from the pitch was little more than capitulation.'
But also, after the team splintered
'The German suspected that Mourinho did not quite trust him because he was not a Mendes player, that hardcore group that the rest of the squad called ‘los suyos’ (‘theirs’ or ‘their own’). As one Spanish player said, ‘Özil is the least “theirs” of “theirs”.’
Everyone was given precise instructions, the most complex, as always, being given to Özil, the player he doubted the most.'
Who knows how much truth there is in the book, but I don't think anyone can reasonably deny that Ozil is a brilliant player.
A few quotes from Diego Torres' book about Mourinho at Real:
'the team’s most creative player
As usual, the most complex job was allocated to Özil. The German had to cover the wing when the team did not have the ball. When possession was regained he had to move to a more central position and link up with Modrić.
Those present say that the instructions directed at Mesut Özil took up much of the meeting, Mourinho always reserving the most complex list of demands for the German midfielder. Not only was he assigned the mission of playing passes to the forwards and arriving in the box himself. He was also given the job of working defensively in three or four areas.
nobody else was given such physically demanding and tactically diverse responsibilities by Mourinho.
At 22, the young midfielder from Gelsenkirchen was a rare case in the world of elite football, which was defined as much by jealousy, individualism and internal competition as by camaraderie. Özil, who hardly spoke any Spanish but understood everything that was said to him, was admired by his team-mates. In every training session they saw him do things that other players could not do. His controls, his feints, the ease with which he played in confined spaces, his ability to find ways of passing through labyrinthine defences, his excellent touch with both feet – all these made him a player without equal. He had arrived in Spain just four months earlier and had won over the group in a short time. Removing him from the pitch was little more than capitulation.'
But also, after the team splintered
'The German suspected that Mourinho did not quite trust him because he was not a Mendes player, that hardcore group that the rest of the squad called ‘los suyos’ (‘theirs’ or ‘their own’). As one Spanish player said, ‘Özil is the least “theirs” of “theirs”.’
Everyone was given precise instructions, the most complex, as always, being given to Özil, the player he doubted the most.'
Who knows how much truth there is in the book, but I don't think anyone can reasonably deny that Ozil is a brilliant player.
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he'd be free so why not.
what did he say?German press say we're trying to sign him on a free.
Hmmmm.
Typical though both Sanchez and Ozil available on a free and we probably go for Ozil. As regards him here my opinion is no.
Would be our most creative player. He'd get a lot more credit if Arsenal had a decent striker finishing the chances he's created over the last few years.
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This is good.
Özil doesn't directly. replace Mata. Mata has pretty much only been played on the right under Mourinho and he plays defense unlike Mourinho. He might replace Mkhitaryan and Mkhi might replace Mata. Replacing might also be wrong here, we were always looking to add another attacker.
If you're playing Özil you're sacrificing some amount of defensive work for an excellent #10.
Ozil would be perfect for us.
Why didn't he play today? 
Most overrated footballer of the past 5 years.
He's got his contract now back to his norm?
I can't believe how many people genuinely wanted this bloke at the club.
If there's one top player that doesn't sum up everything United is all about then it's Ozil.
If there's one top player that doesn't sum up everything United is all about then it's Ozil.
It's mostly because Mourinho used to get the best out of him at Real Madrid, so it's assumed it can happen again here.
So he was basically playing well till he gets his new contract, then back to being shite ?
So we're back to hating him? Okay cool.
It’s called an Adeybayor.So he was basically playing well till he gets his new contract, then back to being shite ?
Heard rumours, that Sanchez is doing the same.
We won today game against Chelsea so in this mood we may think we're doing well while Arsenal and Ozil did badly. However, on another day when we need less grit but much more creativity, we don't have enough of that creativity. The evidence lies with our use of Mata (still start a fair chunk of games), who even at his best ain't touching Ozil in similar level. It's clear nobody wants Ozil as the main man, undroppable in big game. In the scenario he was a free agent, he would be a great option to have. In reality he enjoyed the stay at Arsenal, so end of story.
This guy is still better than any of our outfield players imo.
Absolute madness
I think Ozil goes with the flow of the team. If the team is doing well he will add quality to it, if the team is having a poor game, he is not the man to save them. Maybe at Madrid he was always world class because madrid was always playing well, and it simply can't happen at Arsenal, so he has really good games and poor ones.
Ozil is class.
He’s playing in a side with a losers mentality.
Look at him when he plays for Germany.
He’s playing in a side with a losers mentality.
Look at him when he plays for Germany.
To be fair all Arsenals players apart from Wilshere were complete shite. I still rate Ozil's ability to be world class but he's mentally weak when he's team is playing bad. He also thrives in space, which City gave him none of.
Doing what?
aye, only for 6 weeks of the season though
Who is better?
He was Arsenal’s best player when Alexis was still there. Alexis is now our best player.
Alexis was Arsenal's best player when he was there.
Don’t think so. Most Arsenal fans who know the game would say otherwise.
That's an interesting way to spell David de Gea.
Not really a point to judge on though, is it? Arsenal fans seem happy when Ozil get an assist even if they lose 4-1.
If you see my original post, I specified outfield players. Please don’t change the context.
I still marvel at people who doubt the top players at Arsenal. Arsenal,'s problem is Wenger. He has sunk that club into mediocrity and its nigh impossible for good players not to sink to its level.
Absolutely sickening his form since he got his big fat contract, gone back to being the spineless fraud of a player many thought he was before his purple patch of form
Wenger leaving must hit him hard too. Realize the next manager won't be as soft
Ozil was really good until he signed the new contract. He even had some very good games against big teams.
He played Arsenal.
Wouldn't surprise me if he is "ill" on Sunday.
Played well to secure his contract. Well done.
Keown absolutely slaughtered him after the match.
I'm delighted he's signed that contract. Was really worrying he'd be coming to Utd at one point.
I'm delighted he's signed that contract. Was really worrying he'd be coming to Utd at one point.