Arsenal: Mesut Ozil Cannot Be Himself Without Olivier Giroud

Arsenal may not be reeling without Olivier Giroud, but Mesut Ozil is certainly feeling adverse effects from the big man’s continued absence.

Arsenal had a select few of their potential flaws brought out against Middlesbrough, but I believe the biggest one is the absence of Olivier Giroud and the massive Plan B he brings along with him. The Gunners aren’t in pain or gasping for air without him (they are top of the table as of writing), but a little solidification wouldn’t hurt.

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Mesut Ozil is also starting to raise questions. Not in his overall effectiveness, but in the lack of assist production. The man provided 19 assists last year and created 4.2 chances per match. How does that dry up so quickly?

Well, I have one theory. But it is in direct contrast to many other theories pertaining to why Ozil doesn’t have more assists. My theory is that Ozil is the one most adversely effected by Olivier Giroud’s extended absence.

The reasoning is in the numbers. Ozil piled up 19 assists last season. Nine were to Giroud. That’s a healthy chunk, but nothing crazy. It doesn’t stop there, though.

Of the nine goals that Ozil assisted Giroud on, four were from set pieces that involved lofted balls into the box and another three were from traditional crosses.

Another four of those assists were in some way influenced by the presence of Giroud. Going even further, another three came on set pieces that were headed in by someone other than Giroud.

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That means that of his 19 assists, 13 were either to Giroud or strongly influenced by Giroud. Factor in the other three that came on set pieces and having a target man and we are at 16 assists coming from Giroud and/or lofted balls from set pieces.

Perhaps we are beginning to see the picture shape up. Ozil has no target man, or at the very least, a shortage, when he steps up to set pieces such as corners. He doesn’t have that target man on crosses either.

For all of the major jumps of statistics that we saw from Ozil last year – chances created, assists – there was also a jump in crosses. Ozil took advantage of having Giroud in the middle of the pitch, crossing the ball more (2.6 times per appearance) than ever before in his career.

That’s twice the attempts he is making this year. Coincidence? I doubt it. Although I’m sure some will believe that it is.

Why did Ozil look so flustered against Boro? Because there was no space in the box for his crosses. The German maestro could not penetrate the Boro defense, so he resorted to crossing the ball. He crossed the ball eight times, more than anyone else on the pitch. Yet he created zero chances.

I do believe I have stated my case. Ozil is struggling to create assists because Giroud isn’t there to help him.

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It’s not like we should hit the panic button or anything, as Ozil is now scoring goals and looking effective, but imagine what he could do with this new shooting mind and his assisting mate back in the picture. Just a thought.