Jamie Carragher: Mesut Özil Is Not The Answer

The former Liverpool great believes the German will not solve Arsenal’s current problems.

Jamie Carragher has stated that Mesut Ozil is not the solution to the problems currently going on at the Emirates Stadium.

The German is not available to play for Mikel Arteta’s side after the Spaniard made the decision to leave him out of the 25-man squads for the Premier League and Europa League competitions.

However, Arsenal has made their worst start to a league season as they currently languishing down in 15th on the table have only managed to win four matches in the league this season.

With matters now worse after the 2-0 loss to Tottenham on Sunday, Mikel Arteta said during an interview that while they are creating some chances, they need to score goals in order to salvage the season.

Jamie Carragher was given the question of whether Ozil would give the Gunners the creative forces that they lack so badly, however, he stated that the club’s issues are not just on their creative abilities.

“I don’t think the answer is bringing Ozil in,” he said while discussing the Germany international with former Arsenal star and caretaker manager Freddie Ljungberg on Sky Sports.

“When three managers decide not to fully back him, I know you [Ljungerg] used him more than those managers did, but I think you had a situation where he came off and threw his gloves. Mikel Arteta doesn’t use him, two managers, maybe three with [Ljungberg], are they all wrong, really?

“There’s no doubt he’s got quality, but we’ve spoken about Ozil so often over the last few years and I don’t think he’s the answer to fix Arsenal’s problem. Why don’t people pick him? There must be something. 

“There might be talk about [Arteta] being under pressure now, or the situation he’s in, I wouldn’t even think about Mikel Arteta’s position. I really like Arteta.

“There’s a lot of nonsense around the cub. I think some of the signings have been a joke, in terms of bringing Willian in, [David] Luiz in, Cedric [Soares] in. There’s Kia Joorabchian making signings at the club.  

“Mikel Arteta brought in [Thomas] Partey and Gabriel, they look like Arsenal’s two best players at this moment.

“They’ve had four managers and three CEOs since 2018, just stick with Arteta, but there’s going to be a lot of pain for Arsenal.”

Carragher was joined by former Arsenal great Freddie Ljungberg and he believes that in some matches this season, the German international might have been the difference for Mikel Arteta’s side.

“I don’t say that Mesut should play every single week,” Ljungberg said. “When you play maybe [Manchester] City, who keep the ball a lot, you’ll just defend all the time, so when you have possession or need to find that little cute pass, I don’t think there are many better players than Mesut in doing that. Of course you lose a bit defensively.

“It’s a decision they made, I don’t know why. He’s outside of the 25-man squad so they can’t use him, but for those things I don’t see many players better in the world.”

Until Arsenal solve their creative issues, the Mesut Ozil debate will always be on everyone’s lips.