“Mesut Özil is the Premier League’s best player,” said Arsène Wenger after the assist king’s latest star performance. The World Champion was so good in the Gunners’ 2-0 win over AFC Bournemouth, grabbing a goal and an assist, that the usually reserved Arsenal manager was waxing lyrical about him.
The superlatives seem to have all been used up when it comes to Özil. He was named ‘Man of the Match’ once again, created the most goalscoring opportunities in a game this season and is also on a record hunt. The 27-year-old has set up 16 goals already this term and could soon smash the league record of 20 assists set by Arsenal icon Thierry Henry in 2002/03.
Wenger: “He’s playing fantastically”
“Just look at the number of assists – it speaks for itself. He is an extraordinary player. I don’t know what more he’s capable of, but he’s playing fantastically at the moment,” praised Wenger. Former England international Gary Lineker is also impressed by the Germany midfielder. “Özil could pass the ball through a cheese-grater without scratching it,” said the footballing icon on BBC’s Match of the Day.
Now the North London club will be hoping that Özil can help them to the title they’ve been waiting for since 2004. Arsenal are top of the Premier League table after 19 games, for 24 hours at least anyway; second-placed Leicester play third-placed Manchester City on Tuesday evening.
Özil’s emergence as Arsenal’s talisman is credit to his determination considering the criticism thrown his way over the past two seasons. He was often said to look lethargic and simply not fit enough. Wenger continued to give him his backing though.
The most impressive thing this campaign has been the Germany star’s consistency and Wenger feels there’s still more to come from Özil. “It’s important that he makes the most of his potential, and he’s on the way to doing that,” said the 66-year-old.
“Mesut Özil is the Premier League’s best player,” said Arsène Wenger after the assist king’s latest star performance. The World Champion was so good in the Gunners’ 2-0 win over AFC Bournemouth, grabbing a goal and an assist, that the usually reserved Arsenal manager was waxing lyrical about him.
The superlatives seem to have all been used up when it comes to Özil. He was named ‘Man of the Match’ once again, created the most goalscoring opportunities in a game this season and is also on a record hunt. The 27-year-old has set up 16 goals already this term and could soon smash the league record of 20 assists set by Arsenal icon Thierry Henry in 2002/03.
Wenger: “He’s playing fantastically”
“Just look at the number of assists – it speaks for itself. He is an extraordinary player. I don’t know what more he’s capable of, but he’s playing fantastically at the moment,” praised Wenger. Former England international Gary Lineker is also impressed by the Germany midfielder. “Özil could pass the ball through a cheese-grater without scratching it,” said the footballing icon on BBC’s Match of the Day.
Now the North London club will be hoping that Özil can help them to the title they’ve been waiting for since 2004. Arsenal are top of the Premier League table after 19 games, for 24 hours at least anyway; second-placed Leicester play third-placed Manchester City on Tuesday evening.
Özil’s emergence as Arsenal’s talisman is credit to his determination considering the criticism thrown his way over the past two seasons. He was often said to look lethargic and simply not fit enough. Wenger continued to give him his backing though.
The most impressive thing this campaign has been the Germany star’s consistency and Wenger feels there’s still more to come from Özil. “It’s important that he makes the most of his potential, and he’s on the way to doing that,” said the 66-year-old.
