Newfound goal threat elevating Özil and Arsenal to next level
Were it not for a moment of sheer genius from Mesut Özil, we were just minutes away from yet another ‘typical Arsenal’ scoreline. As it is, the German’s exquisite solo effort against Ludogorets will no doubt spark the equally familiar question as to whether this Arsenal side has turned a corner.
How often, after all, do the Gunners secure a narrow victory at the death for pundits and fans alike to suggest that this time it will be different? ‘They’re no longer soft’ and ‘they wouldn’t have won that game in the past’ are among the most common conclusions of Arsene Wenger’s side, but there is a growing sense that things could be different this time around because they are approaching things, well, differently.
Full stats from Ludogorets 2-3 Arsenal
While the day after Arsenal reverted to their familiar 4-2-3-1 formation with Giroud leading the line may seem a strange time to suggest as much, the team’s star men have been given the opportunity to flourish in new roles this season. The most obvious of those is Alexis Sanchez, who has been utilised as a centre-forward for much of the campaign to impressive effect, but Özil’s game has also adapted this time around.
The two are undoubtedly the club’s prized assets and most gifted players but ever since he arrived from Real Madrid Özil has seemed to carry the weight of greater pressure on his shoulders. There are a number of reasons for that, not least because he is Arsenal’s most expensive acquisition ever, but also because he arrived with a stronger reputation. Özil was a key player for both Germany and Real Madrid prior to his move to the capital, where Sanchez played somewhat in the shadows at Barcelona.
Then, of course, there is the natural inclination to compare two wildly different styles of player merely because they play in attacking positions and cost a lot of money. Why, when Sanchez shows such incredible desire and work rate off the ball, can Özil not match his teammates defensive contribution? By that logic though, why did Özil register almost five times as many assists as the Chilean last season (19 to 4), despite playing in the same line of three behind the lone striker?
Well, simply put, Wenger knew what he was getting when signing both, and the fact that they are so different - despite sharing a chemistry on the pitch that is so pivotal to the side - is an advantage in that sense rather than a hindrance. Özil’s perceived lack of commitment when the opposition have the ball is also something that Arsenal’s fans are now more willing to overlook. The German is averaging fewer tackles per game than in any league season at the club at present (0.7), but it’s rightly no longer a real issue.
Instead, if there was one area of his game that the 28-year old could perhaps have been accused of coming up short, it was his ability to score for himself. Such accusations are certainly more relevant given that Özil spends so much of his time in such advanced positions for a side with aspirations of winning titles. As a result, while last season’s tally of 8 goals in the league and Champions League combined marked progress as his highest scoring campaign for the club, the fact that said figure came from 43 appearances was still modest.
Indeed, in 103 outings across the two tournaments for Arsenal prior to this season, a return of 19 goals was pretty underwhelming. Of course, Özil is one of those rare breeds of player that so often prefers to look for a pass to a teammate rather than shoot himself - leading to his outstanding figures for assists throughout his career - but the fact that he has never scored more goals in a league season than he managed as a 21-year old in his final campaign at Werder Bremen (9) still highlights a lack of progress in that regard.
However, having netted his first ever career hat-trick against the same opponents a fortnight ago, Özil’s moment of magic against Ludogorets on Tuesday took his tally to seven goals for the season so far. That’s already just one off his most prolific in an Arsenal shirt, needing just 13 appearances to reach said figure compared to 32 last time around.
A need to contribute to Arsenal’s goal-haul himself is something that Wenger has made abundantly clear beyond this season, but perhaps more frequently since a switch to a more direct approach this time around. Speaking after Özil’s first of the season against Watford the Frenchman stated, “I’m very happy that he scored today because that's what he has to add to his game.” He added following the German’s third of the Premier League campaign against Swansea, “It was an excellent goal, but he doesn’t take enough chances by shooting”.
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Well that much is clearly beginning to change, With Özil’s average of 1.8 shots per game the most in a league season from the playmaker since his time in Germany ended seven years ago. It’s a figure that has in fact grown season on season in London - at 1.2 in his first campaign - while an average of 2.3 shots per game in the Champions League this time around is his highest in any club competition.
While the German international’s figures for passes (60.6) and key passes (2.4) per game are at an all time low in his time at Arsenal - though still very impressive it should be said - his game has adapted to become that little bit more self indulgent. Selfish is certainly not a word you will ever be able to throw at Özil, but he’s added a confidence in front of goal where not only fans but also his manager had suggested he was lacking in the past. He seemed to overthink things at times when in goalscoring positions, at times even looking for a way out.
His most recent goal against Ludogorets though was one of a player clear in thought. He not only knew to lift the ball over the keeper to take him out of the game, but to do the same with two onrushing defenders without needing to look where they were, simply by stalling to show immense composure, and ultimately score the winning goal.
If Özil can continue to play with that sort of swagger and clarity when put through on goal he should easily be scoring double figures for the first time at Arsenal, which will be a necessity if the Gunners are to go the distance on all fronts.
How many goals do you think Mesut Özil should be scoring a season for Arsenal? Let us know in the comments below
