Pain in the Arsenal
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Arsenal Vs Atetico Madrid: 5 key players to watch — Stage is set

By Andrew Dowdeswell

LONDON, ENGLAND - JANUARY 20: Alexandre Lacazette of Arsenal celebrates scoring his side's fourth goal during the Premier League match between Arsenal and Crystal Palace at Emirates Stadium on January 20, 2018 in London, England. (Photo by Clive Mason/Getty Images)
LONDON, ENGLAND - JANUARY 20: Alexandre Lacazette of Arsenal celebrates scoring his side's fourth goal during the Premier League match between Arsenal and Crystal Palace at Emirates Stadium on January 20, 2018 in London, England. (Photo by Clive Mason/Getty Images) /
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Arsenal, Mesut Ozil
LONDON, ENGLAND – APRIL 05: Mesut Ozil of Arsenal during the UEFA Europa League quarter final leg one match between Arsenal FC and CSKA Moskva at Emirates Stadium on April 5, 2018 in London, United Kingdom. (Photo by Catherine Ivill/Getty Images) /

1. Mesut Ozil

I am writing this in the aftermath of Mohamed Salah’s remarkable performance against Roma for Liverpool in the Champions League semi-final on Tuesday night. The reason why I bring up the astonishing Egyptian is this: The big players turn up for the big games.

That is a criticism that is often levelled at Mesut Ozil. He has a tendency to go quiet when the going gets tough. He does not grab games by the scruff of their neck, wrestle them under his control, and drive his team forward. He does not provide inspiration in the big games.

Well, games do not come much bigger than this one, and Arsenal do not need a player to step up more than Ozil. His peculiar illnesses have again caused absences, missing the weekend’s match against West Ham United, but he is expected to start.

Next: Arsenal Vs Atletico Madrid: Predicted starting XI

It would be perfect timing for the German to put in one of those truly unfathomably beautiful performances that he flitters into being every now and then. What better way to send Arsene Wenger off in glory. Make no mistake, the stage is perfectly set.