After a very poor run in the league, Arsene Wenger changed his formation for the first time in the last 20 years of management, and according to reports, Mesut Ozil isn’t quite satisfied with it but is happy to do what is needed for the team.
Although the new system has improved Arsenal’s performances, winning seven of their last eight games, their main play-maker, Mesut Ozil, has been seen pushed out of his natural position and the attacking midfielder now operates in a more of a wider role.
The German international is still finding himself in the new 3-4-3 formation, and claims that his biggest problem with new formation is the lack of freedom on the pitch.
In a pre-match interview before the game against Sunderland, Ozil said:“I might not quite have the same freedom that I had as when I played in the No.10. When you’re there, you have the freedom to go everywhere.
“In this new system, I need to be on the right a bit more, but that’s something you do for the team. It’s not important what the individual player wants, all that counts is the team.
“The coach sees me there at the moment and the main thing for me is that I’m on the pitch and can help the team with my performances.”
It can be a bit hard for a central play-maker to adapt to a more restricted role on the right flank, but Ozil has more than enough quality to show his skills on every part of the pitch.
In the 2-0 win over Sunderland, Ozil created a record number of chances (12) in a single Premier League match.
Has Arsene Wenger found the perfect position to utilise the creativity and passing skills of the 28-year-old German? According to recent performances of the player and the team, it does seem like it.
Even if Arsenal do miss out on the Champions League football, that mid-season slump might have a more of positive impact on the team in the long term.
This Arsenal looks like they could be challenging for title if Arsene Wenger had gathered the courage to change the system earlier.