Arsenal Transfer News: Mesut Ozil Plays Down Exit Fears, Matija Nastasic Latest
By Gianni Verschueren, Featured Columnist
Boris Streubel/Getty Images
Mesut Ozil won't let rumours of a potential Arsenal exit bother him, telling reporters he knows how the press works and that he's happy to be with the Gunners.
In an interview with Esquire magazine (h/t PA via FIFA.com), the Germany international said he has full confidence in manager ArseneWenger, stating experience has taught him not to be bothered too much by what the media are saying:
He (Wenger) knows what he wants and I know he can bring me a step forward; he trusts me in that way and I trust him, completely.[...] For now, I am not making any plans for after my career. I am just really happy to be here.I have been in this business so long now, I have been a professional since I was 16, 17. I don't care what the press thinks about me as football changes from day to day. You can play well one day and badly the next. I'm used to it.
The 26-year-old arrived at the Emirates in 2013 amid much fanfare and high expectations, but so far, his contributions have been a bit of a mixed bag. A bright and promising start quickly gave way for question marks, and the latter have followed Ozil and the club into the 2014-15 season.
Before suffering an injury that has kept him sidelined for the past few weeks, the critics were out in force to judge both Ozil's form and effort on the pitch. Some, like Squawka's Daniel Anwar, have pointed at tactical limitations within Wenger's current system:
This season he was also used on the left wing before his injury, and he seemed restricted in that role. He likes to move to the flanks from a central role, creating two one against one situations and evading his own markers. If he starts from a wide position, defenders find it much easier to contain him, and he has less passing options than he would in the middle.
The story took a turn for the worse when Spanish outlet Marca (h/t Eurosport's Early Doors) claimed Ozil's father "forced" him into a move away from Real Madrid, with the player reportedly missing the Spanish capital "every day."
The comments he made to Esquire magazine all but rubbished those reports, and his belief Wenger can still make him a better player is a strong signal toward a prolonged stay in north London.
Ozil remains one of the Gunners' key players heading into the belly of the 2014-15 campaign, and fans should be anxiously awaiting his return. Amid the criticism, it's easy to forget the star distributor hasn't played with a world-class holding midfielder protecting him, unlike the Andrea Pirlos of this world, for example.
Despite being played out of position on the left wing on several occasions, he still ranks among the club's highest-rated players, according toWhoScored.com. Perhaps more was expected, but with the exception of Alexis Sanchez, it's hard to find a single Arsenal player who has fully lived up to the expectations so far.
It's too early to pass judgment on Ozil, and looking at his latest comments, he won't care if you do anyway.
Manchester City, meanwhile, are reportedly interested in Juventus' Stephan Lichtsteiner and could use Matija Nastasic to tempt theBianconeri into a sale, a scenario which would dash Arsenal's hopes of landing the young Serbia international.
Manchester Evening News' Paul Handler knows Juventus are keen onNastasic's services, while Goal.com's Greg Stobart claims he was previously offered to the Gunners for as little as £5 million.
Lichtsteiner has been in contract negotiations with Juventus since the start of the season, but Italian outlet Tuttosport (h/t Football Italia) has learned the two parties have yet to come to an agreement.
Nastasic impressed greatly during his first season in the Premier League before injuries put a swift stop to his ascension, and he has hardly featured under Manuel Pellegrini in 2014-15.
The 21-year-old is still incredibly gifted, however, and with the Citizens no longer in need of his services, he presents an intriguing prospect for an Arsenal defence that has been ravaged by injuries.
Manchester Evening News' Rob Dawson hoped the arrival of EliaquimMangala wouldn't mean the end for the Serb back in August, and he may ultimately be proven right:
Still highly regarded around Italy from his time with Fiorentina, the fact Juventus—who field the likes of Giorgio Chiellini, Andrea Barzagliand Leonardo Bonucci—are interested in his services speaks volumes to his potential.
The Bianconeri will prefer signing Lichtsteiner to a long-term deal over swapping him for Nastasic, however, so the Gunners still have a chance of stealing him in January
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