According to the latest reports, Premier League giants Arsenal are looking to snap up a deal for Borussia Dortmund’s Mario Gotze in the upcoming summer transfer window in exchange for Mesut Ozil. The German play-maker has not been effective for Unai Emery and following a rather underwhelming campaign, Ozil could be on his way out of the club.
Unai Emery’s first season in charge as Arsenal boss went quite well until the final few stages of the collapse. The Spaniard took charge of the club back in the summer of 2018 from legendary manager Arsene Wenger, who spent 22 years in north London. The 69-year-old won three Premier League titles and seven FA Cups during his reign and got Arsenal competing for major honours once again. But towards the last few years of Wenger’s Arsenal career, he never really managed to adapt to the newer and younger generation of managers. Wenger’s philosophy was being labeled as ‘boring’ and ‘outdated’ and even most of the Arsenal faithful wanted the Frenchman out of the club as he wasn’t able to deliver success.
But Emery came in at the start of next term and breathed fresh air into the club as he kept Arsenal ticking in his debut season in England. Most of his summer signings hit the ground running as the Spaniard instilled his tactics and philosophy into the club. Emery looked certain to help Arsenal finish inside the top four but then a late stumble towards the end of the season saw Arsenal finish in fifth place, missing out on a Champions League berth. However, the north London side still had the chance to make amends if they won the Europa League final, which they made it to. But Arsenal were humiliated 4-1 in Baku against Maurizio Sarri’s Chelsea.
One player who looked like he did not want to put in any effort for the club was playmaker Mesut Ozil. The 30-year-old has been in and out of Emery’s squad this season, falling out of favor with the 47-year-old and his £350,000 a week wage rate is not helping much. Ozil will certainly be considered a liability to the club because of his performances in ratio to his playing contributions and he could be on his way out of the Emirates this summer transfer window.
Borussia Dortmund forward Mario Gotze has emerged as a target for Arsenal this summer.
(Source: Sport Bild) #Transfers pic.twitter.com/nzHCDwt1mt— Hala Transfer News (@HalaTransfers) June 6, 2019
Reports claim that Arsenal are looking at Borussia Dortmund star Mario Gotze to replace Ozil as the club can match his high wage demands. Aaron Ramsey, Petr Cech, Danny Welbeck, Denis Suarez and Stephan Lichtsteiner have all left the club and the Gunners will no longer have to waste their wages. In attack, Arsenal are in dire need of a creative spark to assist Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, Alexandre Lacazette and Mario Gotze seem like an option for Emery. The 27-year-old was quite brilliant for Dortmund this season as he helped them finish in 2nd place on the Bundesliga table.
Gotze can operate anywhere along the front line and even as a play-maker, but predominantly as an attacking midfielder and the 2014 World Cup winner should adapt well to Emery’s game-play.
