These are worrying times for Arsenal as they languish down in 14th position in the Premier League after 10 matches.
Mikel Arteta's men were consigned to their fifth defeat of the Premier League season already on Sunday against Wolves, but while the results certainly aren't going their way - there is something else just as troubling on Arsenal's minds.
Arsenal have been toothless in front of goal this season, scoring just 10 goals in as many top-flight matches with only the bottom three sides holding worse records so far.
It's a far cry from the good old days under legendary manager Arsene Wenger, and there seems no obvious solution at present over how Arsenal can fix their attacking woes.
While Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and Co continue to toil up top with no creativity behind them, sitting at home with his feet up is German playmaker, and the club's highest paid player on £350,000 per-week, Mesut Ozil.
Ozil's days at the Emirates are numbered, having not played since March and having been ruthlessly axed by Arteta from his Premier League and Europa League squads, with the earliest he can return coming in January.
As time has gone by, the German World Cup winner's omission has unsurprisingly garnered more attention, with many fans and pundits alike questioning the point of having your most creative spark sitting at home doing nothing while Arsenal continue to show no threat up top.
Ozil's former team-mate Jack Wilshere and Arsenal legend Paul Merson both believe it's time for the German to return, so Sportsmail has decided to take a look at the reasons for and against recalling the 32-year-old...
FOR
No one except those behind the scenes at Arsenal really know why Ozil has been excluded, but his exile will continue to be the major talking point until the club's attacking troubles go away.
Arteta claimed to the media that his omission was purely for 'football reasons' while taking the blame for failing to get the best out of the former Real Madrid star.
However, Ozil's agent - Dr Erkut Sogut - immediately hit out at Arteta, accusing the Arsenal manager of failing to tell the truth about the player's delicate situation.
After his immediate exclusion, Sportsmail reported that Ozil was convinced that, after he slammed China's alleged mistreatment of Uighur Muslims which sparked a backlash in the Far East, the club's commercial interests in China have since contributed to their decision to leave him out.
But whether it's a political decision or purely based from a footballing point of view, Arsenal fans deserve an explanation surrounding the club's highest paid player's future.
But enough of that. Based purely on the season's proceedings so far, it's hard to grasp why he has been left out altogether.
Arsenal have endured their worst start to a league campaign since 1981 - almost 40 years, and that is majorly down to their attacking woes.
Club talisman and captain Aubameyang is nowhere to be seen, scoring just twice - with his only goal from open play coming on the opening day of the campaign against Fulham.
Aubameyang, alongside new signing Willian and Alexandre Lacazette, have been out of sorts all season but while they should definitely take responsibility for their short-comings, they are not being helped by those behind.
There is a real dearth of quality in the middle of the park, with Dani Ceballos and Granit Xhaka massively struggling to link up with the attack and unlock opposition defences.
Arteta and Arsenal desperately went searching for a playmaker in the summer transfer window, but their pursuit of Lyon star Houssem Aouar failed, and they ended up signing the combative Thomas Partey instead,
While the Ghanaian is a hugely exciting addition to the Arsenal midfield, they are still in sore need of a creator.
Under-fire Willian is Arsenal's highest assist-maker at present with a mere three to his name while right back Hector Bellerin is one one behind. This is simply not good enough for a club built on the foundations of free-flowing football.
Since Ozil joined the Gunners seven years ago, he has produced 54 assists in 184 Premier League matches while creating 65 key chances in that time.
The German had become the quickest player to reach 50 Premier League assists in 141 games back in March 2018 but that has since been broken by Kevin De Bruyne.
Ozil's vision is there for all to see and as Paul Merson explained, with the protection of Partey sitting behind him, the Gunners outcast could flourish in midfield if recalled as the Ghanaian's presence would free him up to provide for the forwards, who are currently feeding off scraps.
If Arteta opts not to put him back into the starting XI, surely their one genuine creator at present should at least make the bench.
AGAINST
Ever since Ozil made the big-money move from Spanish heavyweights Madrid, his presence in the Arsenal side has divided the club's supporters.
While many see him as the key to unlocking defences and providing the magic in the midfield, others continue to question his work ethic and believe his presence hinders the side in games against the traditional Top Six.
And it's hard to disagree with the latter belief, and goes someway to explaining his absence from the starting line-up in recent seasons.
First under Unai Emery, and now under Arteta, they have both decided that they would be better without the German midfielder.
In an interview with Sportsmail in May, Emery made clear that Ozil's commitment and attitude weren't at the level required.
Emery said: 'In the end he has to look at himself. At his attitude and his commitment. I tried my utmost to help Ozil. Throughout my career, talented players have been my favorites and they have played at their best or close to their best with me.
'I was always positive with him in terms of wanting him to be involved, but then the attitude that he adopted, and the commitment levels, well, they weren't enough.'
With a team on the decline and getting bullied down the years by the Big Six, Ozil can't afford to be a passenger in the Arsenal side.
Yes as argued above, the presence of Partey may allow him to primarily focus on the attacking side of things, but more would still be needed from Ozil.
Furthermore, with Ozil's contract expiring in the summer and having been excluded until January at the earliest, the 32-year-old's time at Arsenal looks likely to be coming to an end.
So is there any point in using him for half a season in the Premier League knowing full well that his days at Arsenal are numbered?
Arsenal need to look to the future and bringing Ozil back in would only be a short-term solution, and one that wouldn't fix their problems in the long run.
While Arsenal must wise up in attack, their are young guns waiting in the wings to grab their chance.
Emile Smith Rowe is viewed as one for the future in north London, and Matteo Guendouzi will be hoping for a second chance when he returns from his loan spell with Hertha Berlin.
But while Arteta could look closer to home to solve his creative issues, he will no doubt look to dip into the market in January for solutions - having been linked with Red Bull Salzburg's Dominik Szoboszlai, Inter Milan and former Tottenham midfielder Christian Eriksen, while a move for Aouar is not dead in the water.
It seems highly unlikely that Arteta would bring Ozil back into the fold for a swansong...
Source: m.allfootballapp.com