Arsenal: Mesut Ozil’s wonky take on 3-4-3 out of place

Arsenal has hit their stride in the new 3-4-3, but according to Mesut Ozil, he is deprived of freedom. But that doesn’t seem to be the case at all.

Arsenal witnessed the return of w in all of his splendor against Sunderland. It doesn’t matter who the competition was, the man created 12 chances, the most in the Premier League in eight years. It was a veritable masterclass and he deserves all the credit in the world.

Just before his superb performance, the German maestro has delivered his verdict on the 3-4-3. So many Gunners are offering their takes on the new system and praising how well it works and how much better it makes them.

But oddly enough, not the German, who seems to be benefiting just as much as everyone else. Here is what he had to say about the new take on Arsenal football, as quoted by the Metro:

"I might not quite have the same freedom that I had as when I played in the No.10. When you’re there, you have the freedom to go everywhere. In this new system, I need to be on the right a bit more, but that’s something you do for the team. It’s not important what the individual player wants, all that counts is the team. The coach sees me there at the moment and the main thing for me is that I’m on the pitch and can help the team with my performances."

This is what I do not understand. If you look at the heat map from Sunderland, and from any other game since the 3-4-3 has been implemented, yes, Ozil isn’t as central, but he never was as a No. 10 to begin with. He always drifted to wide angles, and that is what he has continued to do in his new role. Both wide left and wide right.

More from Pain in the Arsenal

• 3 observations from Arsenal’s victory at Goodison Park
• 3 standout players from 1-0 victory over Everton
• 3 positives & negatives from Goodison Park victory
• Arsenal vs PSV preview: Prediction, team news & lineups
• 3 talking points from Arsenal’s victory at Goodison Park

Ozil at the No. 10 role created a reliance on his creative instincts that held the club back. When he had a lesser match, so did Arsenal. But spread out wide, sharing creative duties with Alexis, he almost has more freedom in that he has less pressure and less of a spotlight on him.

This gives him more space to create and to find the space that he needs. He wasn’t finding that anymore as a No. 10 because defenses were keyed in on him. The No. 10 is on a pedestal. It’s easy to cage that position in.

But with a superstar like Alexis lining up next to Ozil in the same position, the German has more creative license to do what he wishes.

Next: Arsenal's 30 Greatest Players Ever

I do not understand Ozil’s unsatisfactory review of his new position. I wholly appreciate his toke Aaron Ramsey line of doing what is best for the club, but I don’t see how this formation isn’t what is best for him as well.