Sometimes you should just be thankful for what you have, not ungrateful for what you don’t.
And, as their supporters so often remind us, Arsenal have got Mesut Ozil.
Alexis Sanchez is gone, his move to Manchester United will be rubber-stamped in the coming days, if not hours.
German playmaker Mesut Ozil was in fine form as Arsenal beat Crystal Palace 4-1 on Saturday
Ozil assisted Alexandre Lacazette with a superb backheel for Arsenal’s fourth goal of the game
They’ll miss the Chilean, of course. But in Ozil they still have a diamond.
All the talk before kick-off was about Sanchez’s exit; the forward bidding farewell to his team-mates at the team hotel on Friday night.
Anyone who attended this game wouldn’t have left speaking about Sanchez. They’d have been too busy purring at Ozil.
The standing ovation that greeted his 72nd minute substitution testament to that.
It wasn’t just his delightful back heel to set up Alexandre Lacazette for Arsenal’s fourth.
It wasn’t just his no-look flick on the edge of his own area to set up an electric Arsenal counter attack.
It was just… everything. At the moment, this Arsenal team functions far more efficiently with Ozil in it.
That hasn’t always been the case, of course. Ozil’s been criticised over the years; righty so — we should expect more from a footballer so supremely talented as the 29-year-old.
The 29-year-old earned a standing ovation when he came off after 72 minutes of brilliance
Ozil waved to the fans but there is real hope that he could stay at the club beyond the summer
But he’s playing some of the best football of his life right now. This is the time to applaud.
Ozil returned to the starting XI after missing the previous three games with a knee inflammation problem.
Back in the team and Arsenal finally win a football match in 2018. Coincidence? No chance.
The sceptics will suggest Ozil’s resurgence is linked to the fact his contract expires at the end of the season. It often happens: said player’s performances improve just as his contract is about to run out. Said player signs an improved contract or for a new club. Said player’s performance levels plummet.
Nevertheless, there is growing optimism that Ozil could still be persuaded to sign a contract extension. At one point last year his exit seemed inevitable.
The hope that Ozil signs is genuine. Sometimes, though, it’s the hope that kills you.
Arsenal without Sanchez and Ozil? No hope.
Alexis Sanchez is leaving the Emirates and if Ozil follows him there will be no hope for Arsenal