Arsenal: Mesut Ozil, too good for Gunners?

Mesut Ozil had some superb moments in Arsenal’s 3-2 defeat to Crystal Palace on Sunday. But is he now too good for the rest of the team, unsupported and hung to dry?

After watching the 3-2 defeat to Crystal Palace on the weekend I began to ponder: is Mesut Ozil just too good for Arsenal?

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With the team that Unai Emery fielded on Sunday, I had to answer an emphatic ‘yes’. On a week that saw Chelsea lose, Tottenham lose, and Manchester United lose, what was Emery thinking?

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The first goal conceded was the result of a needless foul and yellow card by Dinos Mavropanos followed immediately by Carl Jenkinson breaking early from a solidly held defensive line and playing Christian Benteke onside for an easy headed goal. Two defenders who have played but a handful of Premier League minutes this season between them. Sorry Arsenal fans, it wasn’t Shkodran Mustafi’s fault, at least not the first goal conceded.

As the first half woefully wore on, Mesut Ozil came to the rescue with a brilliant pass from out of nowhere, or more precisely from almost centre field straight up the middle of the pitch catching Crystal Palace, and most of the Emirates faithful, by complete surprise.

Alexandre Lacazette, who was nicely positioned well inside the box, proceeded to make a complete mess of the situation, politely described by the colour commentator as a ‘miskick’. Maybe Lacazette was caught by surprise as well. The ball should have been deposited into the back of the net with the result being a massive momentum swing in favour of the Gunners. Instead, Crystal Palace continued to park the bus and frustrate their hosts further.

To compensate for a lack of creativity in the deep-lying midfield position, Ozil began to drop deeper himself to orchestrate the play. Which he did beautifully, only to see another Matteo Guendouzi giveaway, at least his third of the first half, thwart the offensive attack yet again and force the Arsenal forwards to track back deep into the defensive third. Bickering on the field ensued between Sead Kolasinac and the midfield pairing of Guendouzi and Mohamed Elneny, yet another player with only a handful of Premier League minutes this season.

And then Ozil came to the rescue yet again, with another moment of brilliance. Admirably initiated by the ever-brightening young star Ainsley Maitland-Niles, Ozil drove the ball forward, beginning the attack and finishing it superbly, as only Ozil can do. Has anyone else in the Premier League ever scored using that ‘chop’ shot? Or even tried it? Incredibly composed finishing by Arsenal’s most talented player, with honourable mention to Lacazette for a wonderfully weighted pass. Unfortunately, more defensive errors sealed the fate of Arsenal as they lost at the Emirates.

Mesut Ozil was too good for that Arsenal team. His play demanded a stronger supporting cast. To finish a game strong, the team must start the game strongly, and with that starting lineup on Sunday, they didn’t have a chance.  Arsenal cannot afford to waste a strong performance by their enigmatic star player.

Surround Ozil with the best players available and reap the rewards of a top-four finish. Leave him out to dry, and watch your team fall to Crystal Palace. What was Unai Emery thinking?