Arsenal playmaker Mesut Ozil has been much-maligned for his performances this season, but he responded in perfect fashion against Tottenham, and one statistic won back the hearts of the supporters.
The 29-year-old was man-of-the-match against Spurs on Saturday, and his endless creativity in the 84 minutes he was on the pitch now sees him as the most effective playmaker in the Premier League – regarding chances made in open play.
30 – Mesut Ozil has created more goalscoring chances from open play than any other Premier League player this season (30). Brew. pic.twitter.com/4TcMPjcwmx
— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) November 20, 2017
Given the criticism that was coming his way before the game, with many pundits believing he should be dropped from the starting lineup entirely, Arsenal fans have enjoyed this statistic that proves the German international is still one of the best players in world football.
And people still think he sucks #HatersGonnaHate
— Sagun Shakya (@Sagun_shakya4) November 20, 2017
GOAT🐐
— Duckworth (@Duckmarr) November 20, 2017
Today we spell redemption. M. E. S. U. T.
— Alex Tzanis (@zandertzanis) November 20, 2017
Ozil garners a lot of negative press due to a lack of work ethic to turnover possession, a role he’s not put in the Arsenal side to do. Arsene Wenger wants the ex-Real Madrid man to create chances for the attackers, something he’s doing better than any other player in the country right now.
Not even Manchester City’s Kevin de Bruyne is on his level when it comes to making opportunities in open play for teammates, but Ozil hasn’t had the fortune of his recipients being as ruthless in front of goal – hence just three assists from 10 league games this season.
Nevertheless, after being on the end of so much critique in recent weeks, Ozil has proven he’s one of the best players in the world and still the best at making open play chances in the Premier League.