The continuing saga of Mesut Ozil’s career at Arsenal remains profoundly curious, and is one that would make little sense to anyone unfamiliar with the fickle nature of football.
Just over a year ago, the German international signed a lucrative new contract, but since Unai Emery replaced Arsene Wenger, his stock has fallen.
However, Ozil was named by Emery in an Arsenal starting XI for the first time since Dec. 26, for the 3-0 victory against BATE Borisov in a round-of-32 second-leg match.
Asked about his decision before the game, Emery said he was looking for Ozil to dictate matters and provide the difference with smart combinations in the final third.
With all eyes on his return, Arsenal’s No.10 – back at the heart of Emery’s 4-2-3-1 formation – played his part in an extremely comfortable victory, making more passes than any of his teammates (83), except Granit Xhaka (105) and boasting an 89% success rate.
But watching on, in only his second start since Boxing Day, he again looked, for the most part, like a player going through the motions.
The German playmaker missed the first leg in Belarus last week due to illness, amid continued speculation over his long-term future.
Arsenal’s highest-paid player has looked an ill-fit under Unai Emery this season, becoming an increasingly peripheral figure at the Emirates; he has missed more than half Arsenal’s matches, whether through illness, injury or being simply unwanted by his Spanish coach.
Emery said Arsenal will need the German “sometimes in the starting XI and sometimes on the bench”.
“His spirit like today is good and his quality and capacity and combination with some players is good,” said Emery. “I think we need every player, and playing Mesut was important and positive.”