There has been a lot of talk surrounding Mesut Özil’s form recently; with some suggesting he is deadly and others a disappointment.
A lot of people have voiced their opinions but the most definitive is from our very own Arsène Wenger because normally he is spot on and in his assessment of the German I think he hits the nail on the head again.
And it makes another one of our very own Stewart Robson come across a bit silly suggesting Mr Özil has only had a B+ season, something he stated on ESPN.
Firstly Le Professor, who was quoted by Metro and said the German doesn’t need to criticised. He added that some people (Robson) expect too much.
“Sometimes people expect him to make the difference alone,” said Wenger.
“Sometimes when he doesn’t work, you expect him to take the ball and put it in the net. But he’s more of a passer than a finisher.
“I think the consistency and quality of his passing slowly drains the opponents. He always passes when they don’t want him to do it. That slowly helps us to take over.
“But he’s 25-years-old, he can only get better. The best years are coming for him now. His finishing is one of things he can add to his game.
“But he doesn’t need to be criticised, he just needs to be encouraged.”
But Robson doesn’t follow that and actually believes Özil has been our worst midfielder in recent weeks, a fair comment or not? I am not so sure.
The former Arsenal man is now a pundit for ESPN, he was previously with Arsenal TV but thankfully left.
I do respect his opinion and he was a legendary player for Arsenal but I think he is outdated with his thoughts on our German maestro, he said: “In recent weeks he’s been the worst midfielder player for Arsenal.
“Other players have done much better, been more effective than him… I think the Arsenal crowd are suggesting his work rate hasn’t been particularly good.
“He has a problem. When he’s out on the left hand side, when the opposition’s right back starts to get forward, he doesn’t want to go back.
“That means one of the midfield players has to go to defend out there.
“Özil’s had a good season. Don’t get me wrong. But he hasn’t been the outstanding player for Arsenal.”
That alongside his B+ assessment of Özil’s season is harsh in my opinion. I think he is outdated with his views in regard to work rate.
This is 2014, it isn’t 1994 where players were valued for their work rate just as much as their appreciation of space and skill.
I am a huge fan of Mathieu Flamini who works harder than most so I am not for a second disregarding work rate as irrelevant and pointless but I don’t think it shouldn’t particularly come into people’s thinking with respect to Özil.
Special players need to be conscious of their defensive duties but I want a player like Özil in the final third not wasting his energy tracking back Sascha Riether of Fulham.
Did you know Özil has created the most chances in England this season. He averages creating a chance every 29 minutes. That is astonishing.
His attacking stats via Whoscored.com are astonishing. He has the most assists in the Arsenal team and only Wayne Rooney has more in the league this season.
Four Premier League goals isn’t an amount to look down on either, especially considering he has never been a prolific goalscorer. He makes goals and he has done that this season.
In his short time in England he has done extremely well in my opinion. I don’t care if he spoke English before he came here, if he is experienced or that he cost a lot of money.
Moving to another country is tough. And yet his qualities have shone through, his ball retention is staggeringly good (averaging 88% accuracy in Premier League) for an attacking midfielder.
And then focusing on what stats can’t show you; his influence on others around him. Mentality and spaciously. His movement and intelligence is outstanding, it is no surprise both Jack Wilshere and Aaron Ramsey are scoring more goals than ever this season.
Özil is to answer for that. His runs, his flicks, his presence which causes panic amongst opposition defenders and normally means he has two men on him every time.
That is part of what the German brings which you can’t analyse with stats. His signing on September 2nd gave Arsenal players, fans and figures belief. It lifted a club, which was going around in circles and made them set a new target.
A target to win competitions and believe they could. Özil’s play and presence helped bring that belief.
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