Arsene Wenger Must Be Bold with His Arsenal Midfield Following Mesut Ozil Injury

For Arsenal and Arsene Wenger, the loss of Mesut Ozil is undoubtedly a blow. Despite his indifferent form, Ozil remains a player capable of unlocking a defence with one flash of invention.

In fact, the primary reason Wenger has kept faith with the Germany international through his dip in performance is his unrivalled capacity to change a match with one magical, mercurial moment.

Accommodating Ozil has not come without problems. The club’s record signing has struggled to nail down a regular role in the team, switching between his preferred No. 10 spot and spells on both flanks.

This season, Wenger is fortunate to be blessed with a variety of attacking options. However, in this opening portion of 2014/15, that blessing has threatened to become a curse. Inundated with options, Wenger has looked uncharacteristically unsure of his best XI. Arsenal have subsequently lacked consistency in both personnel and performance.

With the former Real Madrid man due to miss up to three months with a knee ligament injury, Wenger must be bold. Arsenal are entering a run of games where they should be picking up plenty of points. This is an ideal time for the team to jell, gathering confidence and momentum along the way.

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In the absence of Ozil—and, albeit for a briefer spell, Aaron Ramsey—Jack Wilshere is sure to play a significant role. After a spell dogged by injuries, he is putting together one of the more consistent runs of his career.

Wilshere was one of Arsenal’s best players during the defeat away to Chelsea, and he picked up the man of the match award for his display for England against minnows San Marino.

Even before Ozil was sidelined, Wilshere was edging ahead in the battle to start as Arsenal’s advanced playmaker. The German’s displacement to the wing was not purely down to his underwhelming displays. It was also inspired by Wenger’s desire to harness the increasing influence of Wilshere.

The Englishman wears the No. 10 shirt on his back. Now is his chance to show he deserves it. 

Behind him, Wenger will soon be able to take Ramsey and Mikel Arteta back into consideration.

"For Ramsey it's day 13 today and I think it will be day 21 before he is back into training," the Gunners boss told the club's official website. "Arteta may be back with the group late next week."

Arteta, Ramsey and Wilshere seem like a trio with the requisite dynamism to lead Arsenal through the next few months, while Wenger also has Santi Cazorla to call upon.

The Spaniard has arguably been a little unfortunate not to start more games. With Ozil now out, he could find his fortunes improved.

Arsenal have struggled to achieve an effective balance amid their top-heavy squad. Wenger must seize upon the absence of Ozil as an opportunity to find a formula that works. The components are all there. It’s about the chemistry. If Wenger can bring the best out of Wilshere, Cazorla and Ramsey, the absence of Ozil’s creativity will not weigh quite so heavily. 

James McNicholas is Bleacher Report's lead Arsenal correspondent and will be following the club from a London base throughout the 2014/15 season. Follow him on Twitter here.