Pain in the Arsenal
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Arsenal Vs Manchester City: 5 key players to watch – Defeating the best

By Andrew Dowdeswell

LONDON, ENGLAND - FEBRUARY 27: Alexandre Lacazette of Arsenal during the UEFA Europa League round of 32 second leg match between Arsenal FC and Olympiacos FC at Emirates Stadium on February 27, 2020 in London, United Kingdom. (Photo by Chloe Knott - Danehouse/Getty Images)
LONDON, ENGLAND - FEBRUARY 27: Alexandre Lacazette of Arsenal during the UEFA Europa League round of 32 second leg match between Arsenal FC and Olympiacos FC at Emirates Stadium on February 27, 2020 in London, United Kingdom. (Photo by Chloe Knott - Danehouse/Getty Images) /
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Arsenal, Mesut Ozil
LONDON, ENGLAND – DECEMBER 15: Mesut Ozil of Arsenal kicks a water bottle as he is subbed as Interim Manager of Arsenal, Freddie Ljungberg looks on during the Premier League match between Arsenal FC and Manchester City at Emirates Stadium on December 15, 2019 in London, United Kingdom. (Photo by Julian Finney/Getty Images) /

3. Mesut Ozil

Manchester City’s trip to the Emirates earlier this season might have been the lowest point for Arsenal in recent years. They scored within two minutes, were 3-0 up at half-time, and utterly dominated an Arsenal team that were entirely absent in every sense.

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At the heart of the Gunners’ deplorable performance, that was roundly booed at half-time and full-time, was Mesut Ozil. This was everything wrong with Ozil wrapped into a calamitous match. I was one of the fans that booed him when he trudged off the pitch after one of the worst individual performances I have ever seen. He then kicked a water bottle in frustration as the Emirates turned on one of their former favourites.

Ozil rarely performs well in big games. Arsenal do not control possession like they do against lesser teams, the German must work harder defensively, and he has fewer opportunities to play those clever, incisive passes in the final third that are integral to his impact on the pitch.

Under Mikel Arteta, Ozil has turned into a crucial piece of the puzzle. He has not produced the sensational moments of recent years, but he has been neat and tidy, touching the ball with a high frequency and consistency. Perhaps, then, this time might be different. Perhaps, finally, Arsenal might see the best of Ozil when it matters most.