Mesut Ozil provided 12 assists across all competitions in 2017 but which are his best?
Despite receiving unnecessarily harsh criticism from most of the media, Ozil is still Arsenal’s best creator and a real fan favourite.
Often, he’s the driving force behind the Gunners’ attack and can create a goal from thin air.
Here are Ozil’s five best assists from 2017:
5. May 16: Arsenal v Sunderland – Premier League
The German’s assist for Alexis Sanchez during Arsenal’s 2-0 win over the Black Cats towards the end of last season was classic Ozil.
The playmaker ran onto a brilliant long ball from Granit Xhaka from the centre of the park and instinctively chipped the ball across the face of goal and onto Alexis’s boot.
Ozil knew where the Chilean was before the ball had even left Xhaka’s foot.
4. April 5: Arsenal v West Ham – Premier League
The Gunners beat West Ham 3-0 at the Emirates in April and not only did Ozil manage to get on the score sheet, he also delivered a peach of an assist for Theo Walcott.
A slick roll across the face of goal after a darting run into the box.
3. May 21: Arsenal v Everton – Premier League
https://youtu.be/qdxgx9fctlo?t=135
Although Aaron Ramsey’s finish was also pretty special, since the Welshman looped the ball into the top right corner of Everton’s goal, Ozil’s assist for said goal was also fantastic.
The German fought his way past three of the Toffees’ defenders before dribbling into the box and coolly passing to Rambo.
The 27-year-old then simply turned and chipped the ball into the net.
2. October 22: Everton v Arsenal – Premier League
The Gunners won the match at Goodison Park 5-2 and not only did Ozil score again, he provided an assist for Alexandre Lacazette.
The Frenchman and Ozil broke at speed, catching out Everton’s defence and allowing the playmaker to pick out Laca with a diagonal pass back in acres of space.
1. November 29: Arsenal v Huddersfield – Premier League
https://youtu.be/qT_Cok72J5k?t=105
Ozil was once again instrumental in the Gunners’ 5-0 victory over Huddersfield in November.
Arsenal had played shockingly in the first half, despite going 1-0 ahead early, and the 29-year-old took it upon himself to turn the performance around in the second, scoring once and assisting twice.
The best of the two assists had to be for Alexis Sanchez’s goal – Arsenal’s third. Again, the German picked out the forward with a chipped diagonal ball into the box.
Alexis barely had to move to knock the ball home.