5 Reasons why Arsenal will be a team to watch out for next season

#4 A Point To Prove

Wizard of Öz: Will Mesut Özil show his worth?

Is there a more polarizing player in football than Mesut Özil? Easily the best playmaker in the world on his day, the German has become an enigma for both club and country in recent years. He is often made the scapegoat when either Arsenal or Germany don't win games.

Perhaps its because the fans know the quality of performances he can produce and that makes them even more frustrated when he cuts a dejected figure on the pitch and doesn't look like he is putting in the effort that his teammates around him are. Though some of the criticism is unwarranted, even Özil must learn to accept that he does go missing in games of significance.

Last season was a major crossroads in the career of the German. After months of speculation, Özil signed a lucrative new contract to extend his stay at the club for another 3 years. This showed that he had faith in the club but it also showed that he was in his comfort zone under Wenger's management, as he had done barely anything of note to warrant such a big contract.

Finishing the season with 5 goals and 12 assists in 35 games, Özil ended the season looking like he wasn't bothered with how the team performed. Also, a flurry of games missed due to niggling injuries and sicknesses made the German get on the fans' nerves, with many questioning whether his motives were solely football driven or whether he was in it for the pay-day.

Following a World Cup campaign to forget, Özil now has a lot to do in order to establish himself with the best players in the world again. Unai Emery's appointment forces Özil out of his comfort zone. He is no longer guaranteed a place in the side, as he was in Wenger's teams. Emery will not accept lazy, nonchalant football and demands the highest level of physical performances from his players, as seen in his rigorous training sessions.

Özil will look to prove all his doubters wrong in the upcoming season. Reports that he has cut his holidays short in order to join his teammates in the pre-season training camp before Arsenal's tour of Singapore will come as welcome news to Gunners' faithful. It shows that the German is ready to take his game to another level. There is no doubt that the attacking talent around him will help his performances, but the signing of Torreira is also very important as it helps take the defensive load off Özil and lets him concentrate on his strengths.

There's no shying away from the challenge now. Jack Wilshere being let go was a statement to show that there is no room for sentiment under Unai Emery's reign. This season may be sink or swim for the German.