Sky pundit thinks Mesut Ozil could have played with Thomas Partey

Paul Merson has suggested on Skysports.com that Mesut Ozil could have played in the current Arsenal team with Thomas Partey.

Arsenal signed Partey from Spanish club Atletico Madrid in the summer transfer window.

The Ghana international midfielder has hit the ground running at the Gunners and has already established himself as an important player in manager Mikel Arteta’s team.

The 27-year-old was arguably the best player at Old Trafford at the weekend, as Arsenal got the better of Manchester United 1-0 in the Premier League.

Partey was a force to be reckoned with, as the former Atletico star pushed the team forward, won challenges and tackles in the middle of the park, and shielded the defence well.

Former Arsenal star Merson, who now works as a pundit for Sky Sports, has suggested that Ozil could have played in the team now that Partey has shown himself to be a capable defensive midfielder.

The German attacking midfielder has been left out of Arsenal’s Premier League and Europa League squads.

Merson wrote on Skysports.com: “I think there was a stage for Ozil now Partey’s in the team. I watched Chelsea play against Burnley, they played a back four, they played N’Golo Kante in front of the back four, and let everyone else get on with it. They ripped Burnley to shreds, I haven’t seen too many teams make Burnley look bang average.

“Because Kante was playing in that holding role, it gave Kai Havertz and Mason Mount the freedom to do what they want, they didn’t have to spend most of their time on the edge of their own box tracking back. With Partey in there now who’s so dominant in there and doesn’t lose the ball, I think there was a place for Ozil now. I think there was.

“Then if they do drop someone in to pick up Ozil, you’ve got someone like Partey who’s very comfortable on the ball and can hurt you. Then that frees a midfield player up. I think there’s a trick being missed here, but that’s just me.

“He’s that good I think it would’ve opened up a space for Ozil. But he’s not for one reason, and that’s because he doesn’t run around. Why did Manchester United get beaten on Sunday? Because they don’t run around.”

Does Paul Merson have a point?

Ozil is a very good creative player, but the former Real Madrid star is not known for tracking back or for his defensive work.

True, Partey is a great shield in front of the backline, but he cannot do everything by himself.

If Ozil lost the ball, then he would have had to track back, as Partey could not be expected to win possession for his teammates.

Of course, a player like Ozil even as a substitute is a valuable option for any manager, but Arteta has left him out of his squad for a reason, and Arsenal fans and Merson need to accept that and move on.