Arsenal maestro Mesut Ozil has been rightfully praised by members on the press and fans alike as he has started this season with a bang.

But alas a good couple of months means very little if he starts to fade in the winter months or dips towards the end of the season.

Ozil’s talents were never in doubt. The German World Cup winner has always had exceptional vision, a delicate touch and can create almost magical passes that can unlock the sternest of defences.

But in his previous two seasons his influence in the bigger games has been questioned as has his commitment to give all to the Gunners cause throughout an entire campaign.

While only time will tell on whether or not the attacking midfielder can play at the top of his game throughout this term, his recent performances against Manchester United and Bayern Munich showed that he does have that unique quality of influencing the really big encounters that matter!

Against United he glided along the turf and seemed to pick up space and time at every turn. His control on the ball was immaculate and his virtuoso performance was rewarded with a goal and an assist.

Against Bayern he again adapted his game and style to suit the occasion. But he also managed to direct Arsenal’s creativeness and Bayern almost found it impossible as they tried everything to keep him quiet. He ended the night with a goal to his name, as Arsenal ran out 2-0 winners.

The twenty-seven year old currently leads the Premier League assists chart with seven for the season. In fact the playmaker has managed five assists in his last four league appearances (All Arsenal victories).

The fact that Ozil has had Theo Walcott and Alexis Sanchez running in-behind defences has help him immensely. Without players making those types of runs creative passers are playing with an arm tied behind their back. Then you have Oliver Giroud offering a physical target that changes things up when he’s on the field and Ozil can play a different type of pass. That was demonstrated with Ozil’s pinpoint cross that was flicked in by the French striker against Everton last weekend.

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger has clearly been delighted that he’s finally managed to get the best out of Ozil. Wenger said that his midfield maestro had reached a “golden age of a footballer” and also stated that Mesut was an “exceptional talent“.

But for Arsenal to remain serious title challengers and also qualify from their Champions League group Ozil has to remain at this high level, he may even need to improve!

At the moment the Gunners are missing key creative players in Aaron Ramsey, Jack Wilshere and Danny Welbeck. As the London side were being dumped out of the League Cup last night, both Theo Walcott and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain were forced off due to muscular injuries. That could see the two attack minded English players facing spells on the sidelines.

Thus putting even more pressure on the likes of Ozil, Giroud, Sanchez and Santi Cazorla to keep the push going. In their next three games they have to play Swansea and Bayern away before entertaining rivals Tottenham at the Emirates on November the eighth. That could be a crucial time for the Gunners both domestically and in Europe. Wenger will be hoping that his stars suffer from no more injuries and that they can keep up the winning momentum.

The German could also help out by adding more goals to his name. Often in what looks to be simple shooting opportunities Ozil will pass the ball on rather than have the shot. He needs to be more confident in front of goal.

I believe for that to happen then we will need to continue to see this much improved Mesut Ozil and for him to show the world that he truly was worth the £42m that Arsenal paid Real Madrid for his services back in 2013.

Mesut Ozil is certainly a class act, it’s now all about consistency!

Posted on October 28th, 2015 by scott
Filed under: Article