With the 2020 edition of the MLS season now concluded, the focus shifts quickly to 2021 and although the new campaign is a long way off in terms of dates, the planning for new player personnel has already begun.
In times of old, the MLS has been considered the retirement home of Europe’s greats, as the likes of Andrea Pirlo, Steven Gerrard and David Villa have packed up and gone stateside for a final stint in their illustrious careers.
While although that image of going out to pasture has lessened over the past few years, a move to America is still as appealing to those who are looking for a move abroad and especially, if such players are currently being frozen out elsewhere.
For those who have been left out in the cold, there can be nothing more frustrating then kicking your heels on the touchline and with Arsenal’s Mesut Ozil seemingly persona non grata, the North London outfit now have an expensive piece of deadwood on their hands.
The German international is commanding a salary of £350k a week and with the former Real Madrid star playing no part in manager Mikel Arteta’s plans, fans of the club might just be asking themselves why not?
Because with the Gunners struggling this season and hovering far too close to the relegation zone for their own good, a lack of creative nous in midfield has been all too apparent and frustrating in equal measure.
Apparent for the simple reason that Arsenal are not creating enough chances and frustrating, because the answer to solve such a problem is lying under their nose. However, it is an answer that the Arsenal manager is refusing to utilise.
More to the point, he cannot utilise until the New Year at the earliest, as a 25-man squad has already been named and the longer results go against Arsenal, the shorter the odds become for an incredible relegation at the end of the season. To the point where the sports betting sites are preparing the odds of Arsenal playing in the EFL Championship next season and if you are brave enough to have a flutter, this might not be the worst bet that you will ever place.
However, another bet that could be as tempting, is just where Mesut Ozil ends up next and with Mikel Arteta unlikely to swallow his pride and welcome the 32-year-old back into the fold, a January move could well be on the cards.
Of course, that hefty weekly wage could be something of a barrier for anyone looking to afford Ozil’s services. Then again, when it comes to perceived quality, money has a habit of always being found in the end.
To the point, where if any of the MLS franchises fancy stretching their salary cap for Arsenal’s man in exile, then landing the 2014 World Cup winner may just prove to be the biggest coup of the off-season.
Ultimately, it will offer the league’s detractors the ammunition to point to the competition as being a retirement once again. However, comments like that are only steeped in ignorance and it is fair to say that the competition is in rude health.
While moving to the MLS could provide the perfect foil for Arsenal’s unwanted man and although there may be an element of ring rust to start with, a change is undoubtedly as good as a rest in footballing terms.
Whether that change can be facilitated, is something that is down to the player himself and with a new year soon approaching, Ozil will have to decide whether to dig in and collect a handsome wage or try a new challenge.
It would be rather commendable for him to say, “enough is enough, it is time to move on”. Then again, when you consider the weekly wage, he is currently collecting for doing absolutely nothing, it is hard to blame him for staying in the English capital.
In terms of an MLS move, it would be the logical decision for all parties. Then again, when you consider the plight that Arsenal have found themselves as of late, it seems as if logic is something that has been in short supply at the Emirates.
