Mesut Ozil is back and ready to start. He missed 18 games with a ruptured Knee ligament and is a key player in a tantalizing midfield with abundance of technical talent.
First I’ve got to get the issues behind why he wouldn’t start. Regardless of his injuries there are a number of players who would start ahead of him, should the decision be solely based on form. Santi Cazorla’s done a madness in brilliance while The Ox has had plenty of great performances. It doesn’t seem like Arsenal will play Alexis up top as a first option so realistically there is space for two more players in the attacking trio to play behind Giroud or Welbeck.
A huge problem with Ozil is that although we all know how much of a BIG NAME player he is, but is he a BIG GAME player? From what we’ve seen from him when it’s mattered, our survey said… nah. “Where’s Ozil” didn’t bode to well for his development. Didn’t do half bad in the World Cup though.
Walcott himself is also back and since breaking through to the first 11 he’s never been doubted to feature when everyone is fit. That case may change soon. Something else that Ozil hasn’t got that others may have is the dirty side of the game. If he does have it, he doesn’t do it as near as others. I haven’t even mentioned Rosicky, who is not only on form, but is a player who always wears his heart on his sleeve. Working hard on and off the ball is an important attribute in the Premier league, and those that just don’t have it won’t make it, and probably end up in Italy.
Which leads me on to why he should start. He’s bulking up. Putting that work in the Gym is paying off and hopefully it will reflect more in his performances. He needs to play. He’s a proven World Class player. You don’t spend a ridiculous amount on a player who isn’t World class at what he does. Unless you’re PSG of course.
In comparison to Chamberlain, Wilshere, Rosicky and Cazorla, he has got the highest Possession Score so far this season per metrics at Arsenal, (Squawka) (13.45) along with the joint highest Pass completion of 88%, held with Cazorla. He has the second highest in Key Passes (2.10) and Chances Created (2.26, unfortunately for him behind the player he’ most similar too in the Spanish magician (2.41 and 2.62)
Mesut’s got players around him now who can make the most of his abilities, but also he can make the most out of theirs. We’ve seen how deadly Ozcott can be, we’ve seen how great he links up with Alexis is, and how dangerous Theo & Alexis can be, imagine all three together. He’s loved pacey players either side of him, he had that at Madrid and that’s what made him so successful. A German player of the year. That’s a significant stat. All good making apps but it’s what you do with them.
Playing on the left hand side of midfield for a large proportion of his poor games hasn’t been music to his ears. Neither Cazorla. Two wonderful world class CAM’s and there’s only really room for 1 to play where they truly want. They both seem to suffer when they’re stuck out wide, not like Cazorla sticks around there any ways.
He’ll be desperate to shine on the big stage again, he’s a player who needs confidence and he won’t get that from the bench. The competition for places is lovely to see as a fan, but I really wouldn’t want to be Wenger when it comes to picking his CAM. I’d like to do the transfers though, little bit of Flamini getting his contract ripped up maybe.
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