Arsenal: This isn’t the test Mesut Ozil had to pass

Mesut Ozil was sensational in Arsenal’s 5-2 thumping of Everton on Sunday. However, while it was nice to see him at his best, this isn’t the test that he has to pass. That is still to come.

Arsenal were sensational against Everton on Sunday. In a fluid, dynamic, cutting attacking display, they dismantled Everton to the tune of five goals — it could have been a whole lot more — and romped home as comfortable victors, despite going 1-0 down early on after wasting several excellent chances.

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There were many individuals who impressed. Aaron Ramsey, surging forwards was midfield, provided an impetus and intensity. Alexis Sanchez scored and assisted a goal, and was a thorn in the side of the Everton defence throughout, while Alexandre Lacazette also scored a precise finish.

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However, it was Mesut Ozil who was the gear-churning, pedal-driving, genius-inspiring, individual at the heart of the sumptuous Arsenal display. In a free-roaming, inside right-forward role that suits his drifting style down to the ground, Ozil was the oil for this slick operation, slipping in and out of pockets of space, receiving passes on the half-turn, gliding past a defender, before sliding a pass into a channel for a runner to meet.

In the first half alone, Ozil had created six chances; by full-time, he had created eight and had a goal and assist to his name. No player has created that many chances in a Premier League game this season. It was a truly remarkable performance from the German.

But against a lax and lethargic team who were not attentive in their defending, lazy in their tracking of runners, and naive in the time and space that they afforded Ozil in the final third, this is simply what is expected of a player of his unquestioned quality.

The criticisms that have been placed on Ozil are not because of games like Sunday’s. They are not because of games when the defence is naive, space is aplenty, and the movement is fluid and smooth. They are because of games when the tide is not quite running Arsenal’s way. When the opposition is gritty and combative, when the ball is not skipping across the grass with the same zip and energy, when the air is cold and the pressure is on.

Ozil has many questions to answer; he has many tests to pass. He started that process with a brilliant display against Everton. But that is far from the end of it.

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Everton was not the test that he had to pass. That is still to come. It was lovely to see Ozil back at his elegant, graceful, deadly smooth best. But if he is to vindicate his talent and his utility, he must now do the same in the more challenging, physical, important games that are ahead.