Arriving on deadline day in 2013 and missing the opening weekend of the season after winning the World Cup in 2014, Mesut Özil is enjoying his first real full season at Arsenal.

Nobody in Europe is creating more opportunities than the German right now, and he is putting his form down to having an actual pre-season with the club.

“The coaching staff know exactly how individual players become fit,” Özil said to the official website. “They have all the information and I think a first full pre-season in a long time has helped me to feel really fit.

“Before, I was playing at tournaments after a long season and had little time for holidays.

“In hindsight, you realise that your body may not have the same freshness. At the moment I feel very comfortable, I’m fit and that’s what is important.”

Even before his final season at Real Madrid, the German played at Euro 2012 and it’s little wonder a full pre-season has left him feeling fresher.

It’s shown in his performances as he’s impressed everyone, none moreso than manager Arsène Wenger, who recently said “if you love football, you love Özil”.

The playmaker’s response?

“It’s a privilege for me, especially when such an experienced manager says something like that about me.

“I’m here to develop myself further and I’ve said in the past that I have the manager’s trust and enjoy that.”

He has as much trust as he could ever need from the boss and the fans. Now he just has to continue his superb start to the season at Swansea on Saturday.

Play to the best of his ability once again and Swansea fans certainly won’t love watching him.