Mesut Ozil may be the most criticized footballer in the world. Cast aside by Real Madrid (a gamble that actually paid off with Champions League glory), thrown under the bus by Arsenal fans amidst their failed title bid, and called the weak link of Germany’s World Cup success, this is essentially a fact. Watching Ozil isn’t like watching other players, however. He is unique, in that a lot of his contributions as an attacking player don’t show up on the score sheet most fans see and hear about. His movement off the ball, his cool and calculated passing, along with his willingness to play out of position and drift to the wing make him undeniably world class.
After the 2010 World Cup, the world was made aware of Mesut Ozil. Real Madrid moved quickly to snap up the young German, and within a year he had not only replaced Kaka as the occupant of the #10 shirt, but proved himself to truly be the best man for the job. One could argue that two things ended Kaka’s career in Europe: injury and Mesut Ozil. Three summers later, Real Madrid, desperate to import another galactico in Gareth bale, sold Ozil to Arsenal for 50 million euros. Not only did the football-savy Madrid fans voice their overwhelming displeasure at this, but so did Sergio Ramos and Cristiano Ronaldo, who was "sad" following the sale...poor guy can't seem to catch a break can he?
Tactically, Ozil is very sound and efficient. I say efficient, because his movements off the ball are so calculated and effective (see his 60 yard run off the ball against Norwich in 2013 for a great example of this). He is constantly making diagonal runs into the channel between fullback and center back, and plays higher up the field than the traditional #10; this is evident from and a big factor in Olivier Giroud’s goal drought when Ozil was sidelined with injury.
Ozil gives a distinct style to the #10 position. All #10s seek the ball whenever their teams have it, but Ozil’s movement makes him more of a hybrid winger/playmaker, and not your traditional #10 who operates centrally. Given his positioning, it’s hard to say whether he is a natural attacking midfielder or a winger, but that’s the beauty of Ozil. One of the reasons I hardly pay attention to Arsenals starting formation anymore is because the attacking players are constantly switching, overlapping, and combining to maintain a fluidity with the ball, something we didn't get to see enough of last season with all the injuries.
This upcoming season, expect Ozil to combine nicely with new signing Alexis Sanchez, while a fit Theo Walcott and Alex Oxlade Chamberlain could only make things harder for defenders. Seeing Ozil play with pace on the outside of Arsenal's attack will be something new and different from last season. Also, it's no coincidence that so many players surrounding Ozil had excellent seasons. Santi Cazorla, Arsenal’s best player in the last Ozil-less season at the Emirates, was thought to have no chance to co-exist with another #10. He has publicly expressed his delight at playing with Ozil, and that the rise of Ramsey didn't happen by chance either; his relationship with Ozil was unprecedented when the two were on the field together, which wasn't that often.
In Germany’s World Cup run, there were only 39 minutes of Germany's campaign when Ozil was not on the field (second to only Toni Kroos and Philipp Lahm). His fitness and stamina were heavily criticized throughout his first season in England, but this summer gives Arsenal fans hope that he can be his magical self past the 75th minute. German boss Jogi Loew had every chance to replace the apparently under-performing Ozil in the starting lineup, but he never did.
Mario Gotze, who ultimately proved himself in the home stretch of the tournament, was dropped from the starting lineup equivocally instead of Ozil after the first group stage game. This can be attributed to Ozil’s identity as a team player; in 2010, Ozil started every game for Germany as the central playmaker, while this time around he accepted his role on the wing as Toni Kroos was given the keys to the engine room. Ozil even managed to hold his place in the starting lineup playing out of position, with names like Andre Schurlle, Julian Draxler, and Lukas Podolski (all who regularly play on the wing) being left on the bench.
Ozil created 17 goal-scoring chances in the tournament, more than any other German player. Of the 17, only one was converted for a goal (Khedira’s tap in against Brazil), and not to make excuses for the man himself, but his teammates should finish more of his delightful final passes. Furthermore, Ozil completed the most successful take-ons and completed the most passes in the final third of any other German. In the final alone, Ozil created the two most gaping chances in regular time, Toni Kroos failing to make an effort of either. In the elimination game against Algeria, Ozil played 120 minutes (something, as an Arsenal supporter, I couldn’t believe) and scored the game-winning goal.
Mesut Ozil didn’t put up electrifying numbers in an injury-riddled first season in England, nor did he play flashy football in Brazil, but still put up world-class numbers. When compared to the premier league’s other four main playmakers (Mata, Oscar, Coutinho, & Silva), Ozil ranked second in pass completion, chances created, and key passes, while tying for most assists amongst the group with 9. For a player and a club that struggled so much with injury last season, Arsenal fans should be convinced that the best is yet to come from their #10 and their new-look club who is fine with shelling out cash for even more world-class players.
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