The Arsenal player doesn’t throw himself into tackles but he has a knack for winning the ball back high up the pitch and creating chances for team-mates
By Martin Laurence for WhoScored?, part of the Guardian Sport Network
Mesut Özil is public enemy No1 in the Premier League this week. For most players, a run of just two abject performances would usually go unnoticed but, rightly or wrongly, Özil has been thrust into the spotlight. Since his arrival from Real Madrid, Özil has come under scrutiny in England for his perceived lack of defensive workrate, but is it fair to blame Arsenal’s woes on their record signing?
While fans and pundits are quick criticise Özil, the fact that Wenger’s side struggle when he isn’t at the races does show how important he is to the team. As his manager would attest, Özil isn’t in the team to break up play in defensive positions but to create opportunities in the final third. If he’s doing neither, as was the case against Manchester City and Everton, there is a problem, but that hasn’t been the norm this season.
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