Steven Gerrard: Mesut Ozil “Doesn’t Want To Know” When Arsenal Are Chasing The Ball

By The Editor
on 19th August 2017

Steven Gerrard feels Ozil is a passenger out of possession…

“Out of possession, he doesn’t want to know!”

Keown and Gerrard break down Mesut Ozil’s role in the Arsenal XI. pic.twitter.com/hgvdjGaymP

— BT Sport Football (@btsportfootball) August 19, 2017

Steven Gerrard took aim at Mesut Ozil after the midfielder produced an abject display in our defeat to Stoke City, though the Liverpool legend accepted that he wasn’t solely responsible for the loss.

Gerrard stated that it’s quite clear that Ozil has no interest in working to win the ball back when we’re out of possession, something which isn’t sustainable for a top club.

Arsene Wenger’s change in system seemed to have been designed to give players such as Ozil freedom to attack without being vulnerable defensively.

However, whether through lack of work on the training ground or a fundamental flaw, we’ve been exposed a few times in this system when we’re out of possession.

“Arsene Wenger has got to address it as out of possession you’re a man down,” Gerrard said.

“You can’t just point the finger at Mesut Ozil for that result, but It’s clear to see that out of possession he doesn’t want to know.

“He only wants to be on the ball, trying to create and making things happen. But world class players do both.”

It really would’ve been ideal if all these hitches were sorted out in pre-season, but it appears that issues surrounding this new system is one more problem for us to deal with – and fast!