Mesut Ozil named Arsenal's co-captain for 2018-19 season
German international Mesut Ozil, who has been at the center of controversy in recent times, has been handed the co-captaincy of his club, Arsenal. The former Real Madrid star is Arsenal's highest paid athlete and will captain the side alongside Granit Xhaka, Aaron Ramsey and Petr Cech. Manager Unai Emery selected Laurent Koscielny as the main skipper, but he is a long-term absentee.
Emery wants leaders in the team
It's interesting that Emery has picked 4 skippers until Koscielny returns from his long-term injury. One feels that the 4 players will be rotated in leading the side out on the pitch. Emery stated that he wants leaders in the side and they are the best choices for captaincy. Emery's decision to spread the responsibility could bode well for the London club.
Ozil quit German football team following racism claims
Ozil quit the national team post the 2018 World Cup in Russia, citing racism within the German Football Association. The player stated that he had received hate mails and threats, besides being blamed for Germany crashing out of the coveted event. The Arsenal forward was also criticized, earlier in May, for appearing in a photograph alongside Turkish president Recep Tayyip Erdogan.
Ozil received backing from Arsenal and fans alike
Ozil enjoyed the pre-season tour with fans being really supportive following the torrid time he had post the World Cup. Emery, alongside all the players of the club, came out in support of the attacking mid-fielder. Hashtags such as #StandWithOzil and #SayNoToRacism ruled social media outlets. His team-mate Mkhitaryan had claimed that the player has all the support and love.
World Cup teammates supported Ozil
Our take: Big decision by Emery to make Ozil co-captain
The new responsibility would help Ozil in focusing more on the job. The captaincy could get the best out of him and make him move on from all the negative circumstances that occurred post the FIFA World Cup.
