Arsenal lost their opening game of the Premier League 2018-19 season against reigning champions Manchester City at the Emirates on Sunday.
Mesut Ozil started for the Gunners but was unable to score or provide an assist.
The Gunners did not put on a memorable performance overall and Ozil faced quite a lot of stick for his performance.
We took a look at how fans reacted to his display on social media.
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Real talk! not everyone slammed the playmaker of Turkish origin. There were some fans who acknowledged that he did actually work hard despite not being at his best.
Graham Le Saux sat there and literally said Ozil didn’t put a shift in lmao – I’m done. How many times did he come back in defende or in midfield when he didn’t have the ball? And then try to get forward? Didn’t take long for the agenda to start again. #AFC #Arsenal
— Andrew Thompson (@AFCBvB1410) August 12, 2018
Not everyone defended Ozil, to be fair he was not at his best but neither was half the team.
The problem is the Arsenal playmaker is a star name who is expected to give the team inspiration so naturally he takes a lot of the criticism when the Gunners don’t perform.
Thought Aubameyang had a terrible game yesterday, And by the way, did Ozil even play? #Arsenal #AFC #RT
— Inside Arsenal (@TheInsideGooner) August 13, 2018
What I’ve taken from this game:
Cech needs to be dropped
Torreira needs to start next game
Guendouzi is more impactful than Xhaka, still a lot to learn
Lacazette and Auba need to start together
Ozil needs a FIRM talking to because he’s been shocking— Casanova ?? (@KRUZAA_) August 12, 2018
If I was playing in this game for Arsenal
I would Tackle Ozil. #AnnoyingGuy
— SpecsGonzalez (@specsgonzalez) August 12, 2018
Ozil’s decision making and execution in critical moments today has been diabolical
— YankeeGunner (@YankeeGunner) August 12, 2018
Ozil and Mkhitaryan on the wings doesn’t work. Bellerin and Lichtsteiner had no real support. It seemed like a way to accommodate Ramsey on the number 10 position. Auba had to come deep again and left us with no threat up top, For the record, I’m not saying they didn’t play well.
— ArsenalArena (@ArsenalArena) August 12, 2018
Ozil has been a massive let down. Fans would be eager to say he isn’t the only one, but he is Ozil and should do better. By far.
— Dr. Mohammed Amali ?? (@MoAmali) August 12, 2018
Ozil and Xhaka noticeably poor today. Ozil at least had some good moments. Lost as to what Xhaka provides – he was immobile, sloppy in possession, and seems to have terrible defensive awareness.
Approaching his third season in England. Wouldn’t be shocked to see him dropped.
— Renato (@th14Renato) August 12, 2018
Ederson has been more adventurous with his passing than Ozil today
— Le Grove (@LeGrove) August 12, 2018
Unai Emery needs time… but will he get it? and was Ozil played out of position?
I thought things would change after Wenger left, thought some of the toxicity would disappear but boy was I wrong, one game in and people have thrown the book at Cech, Xhaka, Bellerin, Ramsey and Ozil. Disappoints me much more then the result of the game
— Next Generation AFC?⚪️ (@scoutingindoors) August 12, 2018
Ozil is a No10 and one of the world’s best too. You simply do not play him wide to accommodate a Ramsey that can’t pass the ball as No10..
It leaves you deficient on the wings and at No10.. Sell Ramsey and buy a winger.
Why is this thing so hard for people to see?
— EchoChambers Are Bae by Gene Peterson (@EuginhoCortez) August 12, 2018
Thoughts?
I say this now. Ozil gone next summer
— David Lennon (@wavemachine2) August 12, 2018
Who didn’t see that one coming.
It appears Mesut Ozil has also retired from club football, too.
— . (@Mourinholic) August 12, 2018
