Cazorla is the likeliest replacement for Ozil. A Spain international whose influence over the Arsenal side appears to have waned as Ozil and Alexis Sanchez have arrived, Cazorla may never get a better opportunity to restate his importance to the team. It’s not hard to imagine Cazorla starting on the left and cutting inside, allowing Kieran Gibbs to use the whole of the left flank. The England international has the pace and the stamina to do so and in a roundabout way could prove to be the solution to Ozil’s absence.

Özil injury leaves Arsene with void to fill

The story of Mesut Ozil’s time at Arsenal took another twist over the international break when it was revealed the Germany playmaker is facing three months out with a knee injury. If Ozil’s injury represents a problem for World Cup winning coach Joachim Low, it’s a nightmare for Arsene Wenger.

Wenger has options, at least – if there’s one thing the Gunners aren’t lacking it’s small, technically-gifted midfielders, even with Tomas Rosicky and Aaron Ramsey both carrying knocks. To lose Ozil and Ramsey at the same time is particularly damaging to Wenger, with the pair Arsenal’s top scoring midfielders in EuroFantasyLeague. Santi Cazorla and Jack Wilshere meanwhile fall into a similar category of player to Ozil but if Wenger wants something a little different, he has alternatives.

Lukas Podolski wouldn’t be like-for-like in terms of the style of player, Ozil a much more delicate, cultured type than the powerful winger-striker. But Ozil is often stationed on the left by Wenger and that appears to be Podolski’s best position. Podolski has been making noises about being unhappy at the club after falling out of favour under Wenger yet Wenger insists he is still part of his plans. Ozil’s injury may be the chance for the manager to prove it.

Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain has yet to find his natural berth at the Emirates Stadium and the left of the attack is an option worth exploring. The youngster has similar power to Podolski but more of the vision of Ozil, a half-way house between the two Germany internationals. The left wing may not be Oxlade-Chamberlain’s long-term home but he certainly has the talent and the discipline to fill in for a short while.

Cazorla is the likeliest replacement for Ozil. A Spain international whose influence over the Arsenal side appears to have waned as Ozil and Alexis Sanchez have arrived, Cazorla may never get a better opportunity to restate his importance to the team. It’s not hard to imagine Cazorla starting on the left and cutting inside, allowing Kieran Gibbs to use the whole of the left flank. The England international has the pace and the stamina to do so and in a roundabout way could prove to be the solution to Ozil’s absence.

And as one player leaves the fold due to injury, Theo Walcott returns. Walcott resumed training on Monday and, while he’s not a left-sided player, gives Wenger some respite amid the injuries. Walcott’s return could see Danny Welbeck moved wider for the time being, a short-term answer to a long-term issue and a way for Wenger to make the most of the players he has left standing.

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