There are few things I enjoy more than when Mesut Ozil makes pundits look stupid.
Arsenal player ratings v Bournemouth: Redefining ‘to do a Welbeck’
After scoring once and assisting twice for Germany during their 2018 World Cup qualifiers against the Czech Republic and Norway, Ozil was back in fine form for Arsenal against Bournemouth.
Just as he does for Germany, the playmaker spent large portions of the game tracking back and helping to defend, which is something pundits and a vast number of ex-players claim he doesn’t ever do.
"What did you think of Arsenal's display today Paul Merson?"
"Well Ozil didn't score a goal and didn't even produce a single tackle"— Support your team (@Cechque) September 9, 2017
mesut ozil's been exceptional so far, making runs and closing down play, winning it back but not given masses of support. scapegoat
— e〽 (@afcemiIy) September 9, 2017
What’s confusing is that Ozil is one of if not THE best #10s in the world. What is this obsession with him tracking back when he’s supposed to be doing his thing in the final third? Other players should be covering him, not the other way around. Let him be Mesut Ozil. Build around him.
Ozil was just insane today, but I'm sure it won't be recognised. Media only care when he needs to be scapegoated
— ㅤ (@afcgelo) September 9, 2017
If you could bottle this Ozil display up and bring it out every week, every top club in the world would be banging Arsenal's door down.
— Charles Watts (@charles_watts) September 9, 2017
The 28-year-old completed 45/57 passes (79%) against the Cherries, which still isn’t up to his average of 87% from last season and there’s still plenty of sloppiness to shake off but it’s slightly better than his performance against Liverpool (78%).
The German created three chances, which makes 15 over four games in total, completed a dribble, took two corners and had two shots, one of which was on target.
In the first half, Ozil took a free-kick, far enough outside the Bournemouth box that it was needed to be positioned correctly, but close enough that it would have been difficult to lift it over the Cherries’ wall.
The midfielder made it look easy and his shot was only denied thanks to a fantastic save from Asmir Begović.
A great game from Arsenal as well as Ozil individually.
Arsenal player ratings v Bournemouth: Redefining ‘to do a Welbeck’