Former Liverpool player Phil Babb believes Arsenal’s improved form is due to Mesut Ozil’s absence.

Arsenal have won a couple of games without Ozil in the side, and for some, this is enough evidence that we’re better off without him. Former Liverpool defender Phil Babb certainly thinks so, as he parrots what just about every pundit has had to say about the German.

“This is my personal opinion, I think Mesut Ozil is a luxury player,” he said, reports the Express. “I think in the modern-day Premier League you need work-rate, you need pace. Ozil plays and strolls around the pitch in his own fashion. 

“Yeah, technically very, very gifted but I think you have to play at a certain intensity. So he’s a bit of a luxury player. Take him out of the side, put someone else in that’s got a little bit more energy. The proof’s in the pudding isn’t it, they’ve won more games without him in the side.”

Ozil played in the 3-0 win over Bournemouth. He was one the best players on the pitch that day. A knee injury has kept him out since, but Arsenal’s results haven’t suffered for it. However, a look at who Arsenal have played in that time should reveal why.

Chelsea aside, Arsenal played home games against West Brom and Bright and one away game to BATE Borisov. You’d expect us to win those three games with or without Ozil in the team.

Babb says “the proof is in the pudding”, but a very small sample size isn’t proof of anything. If anything, it tells you that Arsenal’s squad depth is sufficient for them to defeat the likes of West Brom and Brighton without Ozil – as it should be.

Unfortunately, the luxury player tag is going to follow the 28-year-old for the rest of his time in England. No amount of evidence to the contrary is going to change that.