Why the Return of Mesut Ozil Can Be the Spark That Ignites Arsenal's Season

Slowly but perceptibly, Arsenal are recovering from their injury bug.

It's been quite a while, and a few key players are still hurt. Danny Welbeck is still nursing a thigh problem, while Mikel Arteta, Mathieu Debuchy and Jack Wilshere are all long-term absentees.

That's a large chunk of Arsenal's core that will be out for some time. The team will not perform at an optimal level until Arteta and Debuchy are back, at least.

But the Gunners look rejuvenated. Aaron Ramsey and Theo Walcott are back and ready to contribute. Calum Chambers can be rotated with Hector Bellerin as long as Laurent Koscielny stays healthy.

But—and this will surprise a certain section of the fanbase—Mesut Ozil's return will be the most important in the long run.

Alastair Grant/Associated Press

True, the German has not started a single game since September, when he injured his knee against Chelsea. It will be difficult for him to get back into the team, considering Santi Cazorla's outstanding form, but manager Arsene Wenger will find a way to make him the focal point of Arsenal's attack again.

Doing so is actually a more difficult project than one would imagine. Given the disastrous results of the Ozil-as-a-left-winger experiment earlier in the season, one should hope that Wenger now knows to play his star man in central attacking midfield—where he belongs.

However, that means moving the stellar Cazorla to the left wing. This is plausible since Wenger used the Spaniard there all last season and for much of this campaign. But Alexis Sanchez will have to play on the right wing, freezing Theo Walcott out of the team and forcing Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain to play in midfield.

This is obviously a good problem for Wenger to have, assuming that everyone stays fit and he has this selection dilemma in the first place.

Tim Ireland/Associated Press

But Ozil, despite his shortcomings during his time at Arsenal, is sufficiently good to get right back in the starting XI as soon as he is fit.

He will be completely fresh since he did not play during the hectic Christmas period (and hasn't played at all for months). According to Wenger, per the Press Association (via ESPN FC), he is hungrier than ever. All that time off the pitch gave him time to bulk up in the gym.

That last point is actually quite important. Part of Ozil's problem with acclimating to the Premier League was that he is thin enough to be bullied off the ball by the physically dominant midfielders that reign supreme in England.

But, at least at first glance, Ozil looks discernibly more muscular than he did before his absence. Even a marginal increase in strength can, coupled with a more aggressive attitude, elevate Ozil to a new echelon.

Also, consider that he will now have better weapons at his disposal than he has had during his entire Arsenal career.

Walcott, Alexis and Oxlade-Chamberlain are all fit at the same time. This is coincidentally the first time that has been the case this season, and Ozil is now back to take advantage of it.

It is unlikely, though possible, that all three of those speedsters will play together in one starting XI. But even with two—say, Walcott and Alexis—Ozil will have two penetrative players ahead of him, each with ample ability to put the ball in the back of the net.

Cazorla and Ozil do have to learn how to play together, such that one does not step on the other's toes and marginalize him. They are both creative catalysts that like to occupy the same space on the pitch.

If they can work out the kinks, however, Arsenal could become a much more dynamic, tactically versatile side.

The likes of Alexis, Walcott and even Olivier Giroud are all tinder, ready to score if someone can create chances for them. Ozil can certainly be the spark that ignites Arsenal's attack.

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