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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I do respect his opinion and he was a legendary player for Arsenal but I think he is outdated with his thoughts on our German maestro, he said: “In recent weeks he’s been the worst midfielder player for Arsenal.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 I think he is outdated with his views in regard to work rate.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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Comments  

#20 Anand 2014-01-31 20:24
It is stupid to even suggest Ozil is bad. He has been great addition to the team and he creates a lot of chances 29 mins per chance, that is what we got him for. Only problem we need a killer striker to convert the chances to goals. How many flicks of his lands in the box, but no takers from our side to roll it into the net. And this is his first season! Imagine if he fine tunes and attempts to score as well. He has a long way to go like our Le Prof says!
-1 #19 xaipe 2014-01-29 08:45
I completely agree! If anyone should need proof of what Özil has contributed, just look at the scoring numbers for Giroud, Ramsey, Wilshire, Wolcott, &, most especially, the OVERALL play of Santi Cazorla! Cazorla doesn't have to carry the midfield load anymore, so he's moving much more freely through the middle, finding space as defenders give Özil more attention, & most importantly finding the room to get off some very strong finishes when a chance comes his way. Add to that the way Podolski & Özil played against Coventry, & you could really see a team that has what it takes. The Subderland result yesterday was unfortunate. The sending off was harsh, & Wenger, for whatever reason, seems to absolutely refuse to start Podolski now that he's healthy, even though he's perhaps the most clinical finisher on the entire side. With Giroud, Podolski, Özil, & Cazorla alongside Flamini or any of the other MFs on the squad, you'd have an attacking side capable of beating any team on any given day, particularly with the way the defense has been performing, especially given the ridiculous improvement of Szczęsny in goal--that guy is incredible! I think we're all finally seeing what Wenger always knew was there with Szczęsny all along. For what it's worth, since the signing of Özil, the team has had tremendous unbeaten runs & has only suffered a few outright defeats (on the scoreboard) since the opening day loss to Villa. Give Özil & the team some credit. As a side note: MR. WENGER, PLEASE REINSERT LUKAS PODOLSKI INTO THE LINEUP AS A REGULAR STARTER! I doubt the Subderkabd result of 28.1.14 would have been a draw had Podolski been on the pitch from whistle to whistle!
#18 jenks 2014-01-27 18:40
Mr Robson.... Mesut ozil is by far the best player in his role in the world. Simply put I dont want him to go on mazey runs scoring goals, his ability to see a pass and then pick out that pass and it leading to a goal scoring chance is what this man is about. Hes a creative midfielder, flair, vision, passing, technically gifted.. now if we only had a more prolific goal scorer. Falcao or cavani to mention a few mr AW.... Even Torres would thrive in front of this man.
#17 Ben 2014-01-23 10:39
Also this might help :-

https://eplindex.com/47425/playmaker-comparison-ozil-silva-hazard-gerrard-compared.html
#16 Ben 2014-01-23 10:36
I AGREE WITH B+ , but please GIVE HIM TIME !!!
+1 #15 sheyi 2014-01-23 00:20
Magnifio, very applaudible I really enjoyed reading this article. Ozil is special thats all I know and can say
#14 2feet 2014-01-22 23:11
Truth is your both right, for all the stats, the influence on the team and the club, I'd be very surprised if he thought he's been playing his best lately. For me he's the kind of player that needs a challenge, at Madrid he had to fight for his place at Arsenal he's guaranteed a start. He's a phenomenal player who like all world class players can do something special at any moment. His body language is a decision making aren't that of a man who's taken on the responsibility of leading a team to a title, it's who he is he needs someone along side him. B+ is fair because scarily he's got more to give
+2 #13 TC 2014-01-22 20:23
Time will tell, give the guy a chance.
+4 #12 Dunn 2014-01-22 11:01
Unfair criticism for the Germany player of the year!
+8 #11 Gajere 2014-01-22 06:52
The name ozil is tormenting to opponents.If he was a Briton,they would have been comparing him with Zidane.
+1 #10 TMS 2014-01-22 05:03
I'd say a B+ is about right for Ozil's contribution so far. He's played well at times but hasn't been as influential as some would like.
-1 #9 TMS 2014-01-22 05:01
How can there be a headline like this? It's a matter of opinion, you can't just say someone is wrong if they don't think Ozil has been playing well.
+6 #8 Keith 2014-01-21 17:06
Firstly Stewart Robson at Arsenal was a myth. Heralded as the next big thing he flattered to deceive too many times . He does not have the right to criticise a player that has reached the standards he failed to get to. Unlucky with injury but nevertheless did not live up to the hype whereas Ozils start has been scintillating. Yes he is finding The Premiership tough but he will get better. Another fact Santis form has improved this season so there is more to expect from Mesut once he acclimatises
-4 #7 Twig 2014-01-21 17:06
I agree with Mr. Robson, sorry.
+1 #6 TT 2014-01-21 15:52
I think Mr. Robson needs to watch the game closer.

Ozil is often given a pass on defending and our AM in the middle takes his place in the 4-4 defense, with one of the two pivots moving wide to cover.

He is left up front because of his ability to hold the ball up, or break.
+4 #5 Danny 2014-01-21 15:47
OMG dude, I feel like such a horrible person after reading this article. When we signed him I was so excited at the thought that such a great talented player had signed for my Arsenal and I had this beliefe that we were going to win something this year with the amazing team sheet we got. It's so true what the prof said, the arsenal expect way to much of the lad straight away, we do expect him to pick the ball up and put it in the net, only because he's so good. I'm very sorry Ozil for demanding so much from you. Yes it is hard changing country and yes it is hard changing your language and football team. Look to be honest I really wanted you to become a ledgend for my team but this can't happen over night, and I now understand this. Come on all you Arsenal fans lets get behind our team and fill them with confidence.
+3 #4 Sudhir Samuels 2014-01-21 15:44
Perfectly said.
Mr.Robson is a disgrace to his profession, it is a waste of time to bother his silly analysis. Sometimes I even wonder if he has any bit of common sense forget about his footballing sense. It is quite obvious he is bitter about Arsenal and saying things against Arsenal is how he makes his money and his moment of limelight. Just discard his foolish opinions.
+2 #3 sabrerat 2014-01-21 15:39
totally agree. and there's more to come...
+4 #2 boss 2014-01-21 15:37
Great Article nd I agree completely.
+5 #1 Gareth 2014-01-21 15:20
Outstanding article and I agree 100%.
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