Arsenal playmaker Mesut Ozil missed the game against Newcastle United on Saturday through illness (via ), but according to reports in Germany, the £42.4m star was partying in Berlin on the day of the game (via ).
Ozil has received negative press ever since his move to the club, both in England and his homeland, so much of this latest story must be taken with a pinch of salt.
However, there is an underlying issue that needs to be addressed at the club, with off-field issues too frequent for a top flight club this season. Jack Wilshere’s constant smoking, Wojciech Szczesny lighting up a cigarette in the showers at an away ground and now this latest episode with Ozil.
All these incidents represent only one thing, the players clearly do not have the required respect or fear of manager Arsene Wenger, as these acts are being repeatedly committed.
Wenger is known to leave players to their own devises, with many previous players mentioning the boss expecting players to behave and be responsible professionals.
Having said that, however, in this day and age, more tough love is required and, given how Wenger dealt with a rebellious Niklas Bendtner, I fear that the players have become too comfortable with his lenient ways.
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