5 top players who could switch clubs in January

#2 Mesut Özil (Arsenal)

Ozil has been in form, but that may not be enough to stop him from leaving

Mesut Özil has divided opinions at Arsenal over the years. Arsene Wenger signed the German for a then club record fee and the partnership between the player and manager has been amazing over the years.

Özil is loyal to Wenger and once said that his future at the club depends on Wenger’s future altogether. He has often been accused of disappearing in matches whenever required and his defensive work ethic has been criticized by fans who have lashed out at him numerous times.

The German star is often the scapegoat of Arsenal’s poor performances. This has soured the relationship between the player and the fans. Arsenal fans have termed Ozil’s approach as lackluster and complacent, which is quite an insult to a player of his pedigree.

True, the playmaker often fades out of matches but it is not entirely his fault. For years now, Arsenal has struggled to put up a decent and consistent central midfield combination.

Santi Cazorla’s prolonged injuries mean that there is no linkage between the defence and attack for the Gunners. Aaron Ramsey has taken time to settle to the new 3-4-2-1 formation that Wenger plays. Granit Xhaka has struggled to find his feet at the Emirates and has often been malicious with his tackles and inconsistent with his passes.

Özil is someone who thrives while playing in a free role behind the striker. he can shift wider to play on the wing too. When in form, the former Real Madrid man’s vision and passing range is incomparable.

He was phenomenal in the North London derby and was arguably Arsenal’s best player in their loss against Manchester United.

He has scored thrice and assisted five times in fifteen games in the league. Moreover, it has been his impact and the ability to create something out of nowhere that has benefitted Arsenal many-a-times.

He wants to play for a club with better vision and ambition going forward. The German star has been extensively linked with Manchester United as Jose Mourinho has grown tired of Henrik Mkhitaryan’s poor performances. The Armenian has faded away after making a good start to the season.

Mourinho sees Özil as the perfect player for United’s central attacking midfielder woes.

In addition to this, even FC Barcelona have been keen to acquire the player’s services. It would be surely a busy month for him as well as Arsenal.