Zlatan Ibrahimovic said: "Sweden not as good since my international retirement." But in fact, without Zlatan Ibrahimovic, Sweden reinvented themselves as a well organised, hard working and energetic team. The result sees without Ibrahimovic's Sweden reach the World Cup for the first time since 2006.
In your opinion, is Zlatan Ibrahimovic not as good as he thinks he is?
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Experts of last DAILY TOPIC: Do Arsenal really hold Ozil back? Or Ozil drags the Gunners down?
Well, It was a match that seemed to be made in heaven, one that was supposed to lead to the start of a new era,but that seems very unlikely now.what went wrong between Mesut Ozil and arsenal can be narrowed down to the following probable reasons which include his transition from realmadrid and the unwillingness of arsenal in getting a replacement for their star forward,Santi carzola.
Mesut Ozil - the German superstar, Europe’s assist king, was an Arsenal player - arriving in a club record £42.4 million deal from Spanish giants Real Madrid.
It was a transfer that obliterated anything else the club had done in the market. The excitement levels were off the charts, hundreds of fans celebrated in the streets surrounding the Emirates in front of television cameras when the news came through that the deal had been completed.
That excitement only increased when, within 11 minutes of his debut, Ozil had sparked a 3-1 win at Sunderland with a trademark assist for Olivier Giroud.
But now, all that excitement has all but fizzled out. It has instead been replaced with the general acceptance from many that Ozil will be leaving the club at the end of this season - and Arsenal will not receive a single penny for him.Ian wright,is indeed right about it,because the type of players he played with at realmadrid,are to a great extent not like the ones he came across at arsenal.He got too used to their style and their air of superiority over the game.Even though it is hard to have a winning mentality, to play as a Madridista, to be up and doing every time so as for someone else not to take your place, things at the bernabeu were still to some level,easy for him.So,moving to arsenal from realmadrid for him,was like stepping down a ladder from the top.He,as a matter of fact,didn't manage not just the transition alone,but more importantly,its aftereffects.
Now,Arsenal too,have to some level,assisted in the massive drop down of the relationship between the club and Mesut Ozil. Arsenal had just won the FA Cup for a second successive time - meaning Ozil had picked up major trophies in each of his first two seasons in north London. Alexis Sanchez had arrived a year earlier and the club looked set to really kick on and mount a serious, prolonged assault on the title.
It was a key summer, one that expected arsenal to take the bull by the horn and strengthen significantly in a bid to close the gap on the likes of Chelsea, who had finished 12 points above them as champions. Ozil expected it, Sanchez expected it - but what happened? Nothing, other than the arrival of goalkeeper Cech, ironically enough from the Blues. Arsenal were the only club that summer not to sign a single senior outfield player.
Ozil was superb that following season, but in the end Arsenal finished second, 10 points behind surprise package champions Leicester - their best chance of winning the title had slipped away following a sorry end to the campaign. The loss of Santi Cazorla and the lack of cover having not invested was the last straw that broke the camel's back.
And the reason for that can be all be traced back to that summer of 2015. Arsenal simply did not invest when they should have and it sent out the wrong message to their two star men.and though the criticism against ozil continue to go sky high,it is factwise that In his four years at Arsenal, Ozil tops almost every chart there is when it comes creating chances - and that is what he is in the side to do.
Ozil is draging them up not down we have seen good players perform when they have a great team ozil also had a great future he was winning trophies in madrid and also had great respect there now when he joined arsenal he thought of getting more respect and trophies but it is very sad to say that wenger runied his career and arsenal history ozil needs a great team with him but he does not have it for example when he had great players up front like alexis and lacazette he waw just brilliant because he had 2 of the world class players but we often see him on bench or when he is starting giroud in front which is just sad because giroud sometimes performs and sometimes not ozil gave great passes to players who do not perform like giroud and welback or theo.W but they do not score but when he gives passes to great players who are world class lile alexis they score and if wenger leaves ozil and alexis and arsenal will win so much because then they could buy new world class players or new talents they also must establish a good academy from which they could pick players like ajax and barcelona have their and they pick from it which turn out to be amazing players in the future so arsenal should also do that they should not save money and buy old players but buy new talent so ozil need great players around him to perform good or else he will have noobs players and then cannot perform good so he must leave arsenal and go to manchester united or a club which is intrested in him.
Arsenal board didn't renew his contract so he can freely signed by Summer transfer . He was a great player at Real Madrid . He is a great playmaker in Germany . He has shown his form at first season of Arsenal . He is not happy at Arsenal .
Ozil was the subject of tentative interest from several major European clubs over the summer, though no formal bids were lodged. Ozil''scontract talks broken off towards the end of last season when Wenger was unsure whether he would be signing a new contract .Contract negotiations between Arsenal and Ozil resumed at the start of the season .
Arsenal’s old-fashioned board structure and reluctance to offer hefty salaries dictated by the market has seen them unable to challenge for major titles anymore. Changes need to be made to the way the club are run to ensure that never again do they find themselves in such a shambolic situation whereby their two star players could leave for nothing at the same time .
Ozil' is a great player with many abilities.
Akekala
65
Its like saying Argentina are better off without Lionel Messi just because they haven't won a World cUp with him. Same goes to Zlatan Ibrahimovic. Lets face it...this guy has made more than 100 appearances for the Swedish national team. He is the country's all-time leading goalscorer with 62 goals. He represented Sweden at the 2002 and 2006 FIFA World Cups, as well as the 2004, 2008, 2012, and 2016 UEFA European Championships. He has been awarded Guldbollen, given to the Swedish player of the year, a record 11 times, including 10 consecutive times from 2007 to 2016. Had he not been injured last season at Manchester United who knows maybe he would have not announced his retirement and have been part of the Swedish players going to the World Cup. So yes he is an influential player on the pitch and the team plays around him more and they were better with him on it. These WCQ were a bit different from those in 2014 when a Cristiano Ronaldo inspired Portugal knocked them out of the 2014 World Cup nonetheless Ibrahimovic name was all over the scoresheet. This time around Italy were just utterly shambolic and a shadow of their former selves and Sweden managed to take their chances and dedended well thats all. Nowhere has it made them better than Zlatans Sweden period.
Ceoadeosty
59
There a lot of things that could have accounted for his average performance in Arsenal. these are 1.the coaches tactics or the role a signed to ozil. If is not too conformable on a new role he plays it could be a factor. 2.it could also be that he isn't comfortable with his team mate in terms of cordial relationship amongst each other. This things happens normally when a player is hype and other play mate don't see too much of him they sabotage u by not given u passes during game times. 3.Domestic issues.sometimes players wives attitude can also affect the player in the way for the player to loss concentrate on the pitch Ozil will bounce back should he move to Manchester .
Ajmal7
42
Ibrahimovic is a legend and Sweden top scorer . He a is great player with immense talent and played at various club at various levels . He is good in aerial . For me ,It is good to see him in national team back and it's world cup . COME BACK IBRAHIMOVIC . SEE YOU IBRAHIMOVIC. “Sweden are playing without pressure, because since I left, nobody expects much of them now, from the media to the fans. When I play, the level is raised, so it is lowered in my absence. “Having said that, this squad remains a good collective, just with less responsibility on their shoulders. The players are not very experienced, but the project is ambitious.” Would Ibrahimovic play for Sweden if they qualify for the 2018 World Cup in Russia? “No, my story with the national team is closed, but then we’ll see what happens. It’d certainly be fun to go to Russia.” "When Ibrahimovic was here with us we played a different style of football," he continued. "Considering that he has decided to leave international football, he is a great champion, but we had to adapt and found another style."
saleen_skp
40
zlatan is a great player.he is even better than he thinks.he had made many milestone with Swedish National team. now Sweden is a good team without zlatan, but it was better with him. if you see in the second leg Sweden didn't score because they lack a player like zlatan.they where more on defense. Sweden has qualified but let's see how far can they go without a good striker like zlatan in world cup.he is the only player in the world who is able to keep the consistent goal scoring level at this age
Leontheguru
37
Is Zlatan not as good as he thinks he is? In what sense because Sweden have qualified for the world Cup without him. Sweden's qualification has been generally attributed to Italy loosing the game and not them winning it as it can sadly be in some matches but let's not forget they had qualification games to through without him and last time they made it to the play off for Euro 2016 they lost to the eventual champions and man of the match was the eventual Ballon do'r winner who scored an incredible hatrick. Does any team with a big star play differently when their star player isn't available? Yes and did Sweden play differently since Zlatan retired from international football? Yes That already tells you he is a star player but let's get deeper into this. Any team would miss a player off his quality power, composure, good link up play and a bigger than anything persona to go with the incredible football abilities which have with stood the test of time that many star players don't survive just ask his Idol Original Ronaldo, Owen, Vanisteroy, Henry and many others degenerated with age retiring in lower leagues like MLS and Brazilian Seria A however Zlatan statistics have gotten better with age and if not for his injury last season he was on course to finish the season with 30+ goals and at least 20 in the premier league and unlike very few players in world football alone Zlatan's personality can take pressure off his teammates and his coaches if you ask me Sweden would be wise to get him to return for the world Cup. So is Zlatan's as good as he thinks he is? No HE IS BETTER!
cxllxs
25
zlatan is n great footballer in the sense that he is a fearless leader that has the abilty to take charge in any situation he is also a decent footballer considering the goals hes scored and the part he has played for his teams but he is not as good as he thinks he is, there are a lot of players that are much better than him on the pitch but its his character that gives him that edge over others creating the idea that he is the greatest.
Rutkos_2
21
Zlatan has had a stellar career which spans across many countries. He's won numerous leagues and scored many goals. His fitness at this age is commendable. But, he's not as good as the world thinks. Most of the praise about Ibrahimovic is from him only. And you rarely see any sport experts praising him. Now, for his goals, I think are result of being present in great teams. The biggest problem he has is of attitude. What I mean here is that being fearless is good. But, thinking that a team is nothing without him is wrong. All the teams which he supposed won't be great after he leaves are continuing to prosper, be in Barça, PSG and Sweden being the latest one. So, I think that he's not as good as HE thinks. And attitude like national team ain't anything without him is wrong. Remember, he couldn't get them to World Cup and now a "not as good" team beats Italy. #UnnecessaryHype #Notsogood
EmeraldJ
18
Zlatan Ibrahimovic is as good as he says he is. He played at Inter Milan, AC Milan, Barcelona, PSG and Manchester United... At each of these clubs, he was a regular starter, he was a household name and made marks for himself. At such old age, he was a force in United's euros campaign last season. He was the only outstanding player together with De Gea. consistency over the years. delivering results club after club, season after season... Zlatan Ibrahimovic has proven to be a legend and a genius. He works hard, never gives up. He is surely as good as he claims.
realEddy
15
well,I think Zlatan ibrahimovic to some extent,is not as good as he thinks he really is,not anymore. Zlatan,without doubt, could be likened to the great Christopher Columbus who traveled around the world,seeing as ibrahimovic has taken a successful tour of Europe,emerging a champion in virtually all the clubs he played for.but now,with his current performance so far,one could only be right to raise eyebrows and wonder if the potency of zlatan's football has not dwindled a bit. Zlatan,is not really as good as he has been before with both club and country,which can be narrowed down to the following reasons; his past average statistics, his age factor and his recent below par performance at Manchester united. On his past average statistics, Ibrahimovic has spent most of his career recognized as one of the world's best goal scorers. His first season with PSG had done nothing to cancel out this view. With 27 goals in 32 Ligue 1 games, Ibra had delivered. He also demonstrated his all-around ability by tallying seven assists. In Ligue 1, Ibra of cause, played in a more advanced position and looked to be a finisher. In Europe we saw him in a more withdrawn role: holding the ball up and setting up others. having scored 50 goals in 51 games in his final season in France,he then joined Manchester united in the summer.in his first season for the red devils, he however,managed 23goals in all competitions,with 17 in the premier league under 28appearances,coming on as a substitute in one, while averaging a value of 0.61 goals per match,which is quite lower than that of his first season with French giants. Secondly, his age factor,even if the large-egoed zlatan will not openly admit it,is a major pointer as to why he has not been that superb as compared to his younger days as a footballer.At the current past-his-peak age of 36 years,it is, well,much obvious to every tom,dick or harry that zlatan should definitely be thinking of hanging his boots soon,if he is a really honest forward that knows that the age factor massively affects the gameplay of players,more so forwards like him,unlike the lucky goalkeepers who can stay between the sticks for as close to their forties while still keeping the goals out efficiently too. More so,his recent below par performance for Manchester united,only goes further to show that zlatan might be sinking in deep waters much sooner than he expected.the clash with Anderlecht in the Europa league,can be used as an instance."The Europa League became the Champions League since I put my foot there",was what Zlatan Ibrahimovic said ahead of Manchester United's quarter-final tie with Anderlecht.but his timing of the statement was just too wrong.he led an average squad of attackers against the Belgian side, and was with all justice,rightly criticised by Jose after the full-time whistle. He has never been dropped from United's starting line-up, rested only on a few occasions, and has never been substituted, even if being outperformed by other creative players.but Jose decided to play rashford in the place of zlatan against Chelsea,considering what had happened in the return leg with Anderlecht. and rashford delivered,shined and sparkled against the league leaders. Ibrahimovic is now above his peak in age. His game is not as beautiful as Lukaku's and it is a far cry from the youthful exuberance of Rashford. His game is goals, but he has missed a hatful or perhaps, a sackful of big chances and doesn't offer much else to United's overall game.Sweden too,to the surprise of all,have done well without him,with zlatan claiming that the time he played with the national team,was a different time,when all pressure was him and the team to perform,and that the time in which sweden now plays without him,is not so much filled with pressure on them.but then,one can only imagine the pressure placed on a national team to qualify for a world cup, and come to the ultimate conclusion that there are no fewer forms of pressure in football greater than that,just like the one that was on argentina to also qualify for the world cup. As the Liverpool legend Robin fowler puts it, 'It’s all part of getting older. You just become less dynamic, less threatening in the role at the sharp end, so you want to drift to find a bit of space.'Zlatan ibrahimovic,to set the facts straight, is truly a Legend of the game,globally recognized by all but just as it is with time,all legends do come and go,and its just as ok for his performance to reduce with time,and also very much ok too, if zlatan eventually realizes that he is really,not as good as he thinks he is.
Biddybomber
11
Zlatan his better than he himself thinks he his because he has done thing that no ordinary players would dream of doing expect great, at his age 36 is still fighting and will sure play for a team like Manchester united. That kind of injury he has can end if a young player playing career but he his plugging through if he does come back and deliver I thing no player at his age has a striker will do more that he has. Player at his age either go to MLS, China or any lower club and they don't perform in them but he is in the biggest club in England and he still matter, so am saying Zlatan his better than he knows. Now let just say little about what he has achieved from Ajax to Manchester united so you would know he has every right to feel he his that good, he has the trophy cabinet to back it up. Zlatan is just the Zlatan he is that good so I say he his the best and has the right to think so