Arsenal simply blew Manchester United away in the first 20 minutes of Sunday’s game. Their display of penetrative attacking football with laser-guided passing was wonderful to watch (unless you’re a middle aged Dutchman with the initials LVG), and they got their deserved rewards with three goals of exceptional quality, essentially killing the game before it had really begun.One of the main architects of this superb performance was a German international who often underwhelms at the Emirates, but whose undoubted quality has always been evident; Mesut Ozil.Ozil has always been a player who’s attracted the ire of some fans and pundits alike. His languid, elegant style sometimes seems almost too carefree and easy on the eye, as if he has nothing but supreme confidence in his own ability. Not the greatest at closing down the opposition or tracking runners, he has often been accused of not single-handedly dominating a game, when he has the definite technical ability and skill to do so.[ffc-gal cat=”arsenal” no=”5″]However, when he gets it right and all those tricks, flicks and caressed passes fall into place, he looks magnificent. Arsene Wenger will surely be aware that getting the best out of him on a consistent basis – and doing the same with the rest of his sides phalanx of stylish playmakers – could be the difference between similar league finishes as in the last few campaigns and actually putting a concerted assault on the Premier League title together.Ozil has been at the club since summer 2013, and his first two seasons at the club were, realistically speaking, a mixed bag. After an exceptional start to his time as a Gunner, during which time he seduced crowds all over England with his unquestioned natural talent and technical ability, his performances slowly began to drop off, and as a luxury player who seemed to never quite score enough goals it was easy to pick on him as not having as much impact on games as he should.Injuries and the lack of a winter break also did not help; some of his performances during the end of his first season were distinctly tired and lethargic. Missing a vital penalty against Bayern Munich in the Champions League knockout stages did not do much to endear him to unconvinced fans either.The second year was also hit and miss, with Ozil starting the season purposefully and confidently, before succumbing to an injury that kept him out until after Christmas. Naturally it took some time when he did return for his form to come back completely, and the suspicion still remained, despite several exquisite goals that season, that he faded out of difficult games all too easily.I think part of the problem is that supporters naturally focus their ire and wrath on players like Ozil after bad results. If he has not affected the game in a positive manner, and produced a definite output, they will focus on his perceived lack of work ethic and accuse him of not caring. What Ozil has to do is make sure his good days outweigh the bad, and he needs to keep scoring and being involved in goals.
Now is the time then for Ozil to step forward and prove that his decisive output in terms of goals and assists over the course of the season can outweigh the occasional lightweight performance and neglect of his defensive duties.
No matter where he plays, either off the front or coming in off the wings, his aim must be to get in and around the box as much as he can during matches, always demanding the ball and looking to either score or play a decisive pass every time he gets the ball. Sunday’s game was the perfect example of where he should be at all possible times when Arsenal are attacking.
Let other players do his water-carrying, Ozil needs to concentrate on what he does best; making the beautiful game look truly stunning.
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