Mesut Ozil is a polarising figure among the Arsenal support. On his best days, he can be one of the best playmakers in the world, but on his worst, he’s a luxury Arsenal can’t afford. And one of the biggest criticisms is his failure to turn up in big games.
They don’t get much bigger for Arsenal than playing Tottenham, especially a high-flying Tottenham side that are arguably more realistic title contenders than the Gunners themselves. But Ozil stepped up and put in one of his best displays of his Arsenal career against their North London Derby rivals, assisting the team’s opening goal and generally conducting play for a brilliant Arsenal side as they took a 2-0 victory.
Here’s an in-depth look at the German’s performance against Spurs.
BASIC STATS
Goals – 0
Assists – 1
Shots – 0
Shots on target – 0
Touches – 52
Pass accuracy – 81%
Passes – 32
Key passes – 4
Dribbles – 0
Ozil was immaculate on Saturday.
EFFECTIVENESS
Ozil had arguably his best game in an Arsenal shirt on Saturday. His free-kick for Shkodran Mustafi’s goal was expertly placed, he ran his team’s attacks, always made the right decision on the ball, and excelled at what he does best, finding teammates in dangerous positions throughout the match. He also ran 12 kilometres – the German’s work rate has often been doubted, perhaps unfairly, but against Spurs it was top-notch.
KEY MOMENTS
36th min: A pinpoint free-kick to set up Arsenal’s goal. Mustafi will get the headlines – not least for the controversy of the defender perhaps being offside when Ozil’s set-piece was delivered – but the German’s precise delivery is what made Mustafi’s header possible. Exactly the sort of thing Ozil was brought to Arsenal to do.
69th min: While he had many other moments of brilliance on the pitch, this was a moment that would have warmed Ozil’s heart. So often the target of ire from Arsenal fans, here the German received their adulation, with loud, raucous chants of his name greeting him as he went over to take a corner-kick.
84th min: Another moment when he got his due. When Arsene Wenger decided to take Ozil off for the last six minutes, Emirates Stadium gave him arguably the loudest cheer and applause he’s received during his Arsenal career. It was well-earned, as he had put in a man-of-the-match performance against Arsenal’s bitterest rivals.
Mustafi’s header was brilliant but it was all a result of Ozil’s free-kick.
YOUR VERDICT
Mesut Ozil has run 12km this afternoon - or 3.6% of the way to Manchester
— Barney Ronay (@barneyronay) November 18, 2017
Ozil dropping 10/10 against a Top 6 opposition & the media cover their eyes in Horror😭😭
— KinG NomSo👑 (@ani_nomso) November 18, 2017
Mesut Ozil now has 200 club career assists, absolute legend. pic.twitter.com/nBJyu0gy1O
— Arsenal (@DammitArsenal) November 18, 2017
Really isn't anything more satisfying than witnessing a Mesut Ozil masterclass.
— Connor Humm (@TikiTakaConnor) November 18, 2017
Ozil playing like a prime Roy Keane, tears in my eyes
— Paddy (@VieiraPaddy) November 18, 2017
OUR VERDICT
This is the sort of performance that Arsenal and their fans expect from Ozil on a weekly basis. That this was a standout performance rather than one of many of such calibre is largely why the German can be so frustrating, but that doesn’t change the fact that this was a standout performance. Ozil was at his brilliant best, conducting Arsenal’s attacks and almost always finding a teammate with a telling pass. When he plays like this, you wonder how there’s even a debate about whether or not Arsenal should keep him.
Ozil was at his best in a big game – that’s all Arsenal fans have been asking for.
