Arsenal: Mesut Ozil just looks different

Mesut Ozil, per Arsene Wenger, is currently enjoying his best run of form in Arsenal shirt. The German, perhaps most importantly, just looks different. It is wonderful to see.

Mesut Ozil is playing some wonderful football. While Arsenal laboured to a 1-0 victory against Newcastle United on Saturday afternoon, the German floated through the rubble around him, elegantly separating himself from the loose and lethargic mistakes that were littered throughout the match.

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He maintained a 90% pass completion rate, created eight chances, and in one swift flash of his exquisite left boot, dipped and dived a volley into the Newcastle goal for the rare moment of brilliance that would separate the two sides.

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And Arsene Wenger was asked about the form of his midfield marvel in a recent interview with Arsenal Player. Specifically, he was questioned over whether he believed this was his best run of form in the four and a half years that he has spent at the Emirates. He answered emphatically:

"“Yes. Certainly. I think he takes responsibility and that’s what you want from him. He is more mature, he guides the team very well, he does a lot on the ball and your heart rate always goes down when he has the ball. [Wehn playing deeper] He links up the play. When you have problems to build up the game, he comes a bit deeper and Iwobi goes a bit in his position. So overall, we still have a good occupation of the pitch and we know as well that the passing starts well.”"

While that is a strong statement to make, the German is certainly playing well. No player has created more chances per 90 minutes than Ozil in the Premier League, he has now had a direct involvement in eight goals (five assists and three goals), and in his last five home games, he has scored two goals and recorded three assists.

But what is most pleasing, though, is intangible, immeasurable. It is not his creation his statistics. It is not his added goal threat. It is not even the thing that he is most renowned for, his assists. It is the way that he is playing: Ozil just looks different.

One of the most prominent criticisms of him has been his apparent laziness. His languid body language has been interpreted as a sign of disinterest. There was always a debate over how much he cared. Some would point to what they saw with eyes to suggest that ‘his heart wasn’t in it’; others would dig up the running statistics, which Ozil would regularly top, to deem that he was working hard. Well, there is far less argument now.

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More than all of the statistics that he is racking up, and they are impressive, Ozil is working hard, he is committed to the team, he is playing with a different air. And it is wonderful to watch. Long may it continue.