Arsenal: Mesut Ozil comments light the way for Alex Iwobi

Mesut Ozil has been discussing what makes a successful creative, attack-minded midfielder. The advice that he gives lights the way for one Arsenal teammate in particular: Alex Iwobi.

The role of a creative midfielder is not an easy one. Arsenal, because of Arsene Wenger’s penchant for technical, intelligent players, have been blessed with hordes of them over the years. Even the likes of Dennis Bergkamp, who would traditionally be classed as a centre-forward, played in that free-roaming, creative role behind a more stretching partner.

And in recent years, fans have got to witness one of the very best in the business. Mesut Ozil, for all of his consistency and effort faults, is a remarkably gifted player. His touch, his vision, his ingenuity. They all make for an incredibly threatening attacking midfielder.

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The German international, now in his fifth, and perhaps final, year in North London, has been discussing the traits that are needed for a player who is wanting to play in the position that he has flourished in throughout his career. Speaking to Arsenal Player, this is what he had to say:

"“When I receive the ball in the opponent’s half, I always think offensively so I can pick out chances to score a goal or to assist someone. It’s normal that when I get the ball that I play forward. <…> Ultimately, in my position, everything is always quite tight. The moment you receive the ball in midfield you’re already surrounded by three or four opponents who want to attack you. You just have to find the solutions quicker. So, for me, everything happens automatically.”"

Now, there is a lot to decipher here — and there is even more if you read the full interview. But I saw two key attributes that Ozil sees as essential, and both are mental aspects: Forward thinking, and quick thinking.

When I read these comments, my mind flutters through players who could benefit from learning and developing these two abilities. And it is hard to look past Alex Iwobi, a player who Wenger has clearly handpicked to play that position in the future. Fleetingly, he has all the qualities that are needed. His touch is soft, his passing is accurate and piercing, he is deceptively explosive, especially in short areas, and he is creative in his decision-making.

But the key difference between Ozil and Iwobi is the consistency in their play. While Iwobi will have moments of outstanding skill, Ozil can receive the ball on the half-turn, spin into space, before sliding a perfectly-weighted through ball into the channel, time and time again. Iwobi does not do that frequently enough.

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Ultimately, that does not come down to skill or ability. He has the talent. It is because of a lack of composure, a lack of clarity of thought, a failure to diagnose the situation quickly and accurately. Ozil is the perfect mentor for Iwobi. He is lighting the path that must be taken. Iwobi must simply take it.

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