Ozil Wonderland MotM: Ratings v Newcastle
By Matt Sadler
December 16 2017
After a shaky opening 20 (midfield was all over the place), Arsenal got things right and started to take control. The Gunners took the lead after a wonder volley from Ozil and dominated possession for the rest of the half, but couldn't find a second.
Arsenal dominated possession again in the second half but couldn't break down Newcastle's defence, and they grew into the game and we found ourselves hanging on a bit of the last 20.
Could've been a lot, lot better but a win is a win I guess!
Cech - 6. Didn't have much to do but did it all with no fuss.
Bellerin - 6. Okay defensively and made good runs but I just want him to use the ball better.
Koscielny - 6. Didn't start the game well but settled. Made a lot of clearances.
Monreal - 7. Assertive and read the game well.
Maitland-Niles - 7. Got forward when he could, defended well. Didn't look out of place at all.
Xhaka - 5. Passes it well enough for the most part but still has a really sloppy giveaway in him. Not great on duels either.
Wilshere - 6. Drifted in and out of the game but kept it tidy and showed flashes of what he can do.
Iwobi - 7.5. Lively. Involved in Ozil's goal, but end product/ finishing needs to be better.
Ozil - 8. Popped up everywhere. Passed it well and scored a superb winner.
Alexis - 6. Still a bit shaky in possession at times, but always tries to make something happen.
Lacazette - 6. Didn't happen for him in front of goal today, but we missed his movement when he went off.
Subs:
Welbeck - 4. Hardly had a touch.
Giroud - 5. Won his headers.
Coquelin - N/A. Not on long.
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Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2017:12:19:17:21:59 by Padre Pio.
He's only 24 and has all of the tools, so I'm still certain he'll be a top player in his position, but that may be a couple of years down the line - can we afford to wait?
Quote:MattySadler
As good as the technique was for Ozil's goal, the best part was the way he read the situation. How many players would jog back to the edge of the penalty area when the ball is up in the air like that?
Thats why headed this wonderland, its the first time since Bergkamp that we have had a player that can read the game so well, use space so well and has such fantastic technique.
"When we had to suffer the team is a lion because they suffer together." 4 July 2020 at Wolverhampton Wanderers
Arteta on his team's first away victory at a club above them in the Premiership since September 2015 at Leicester.
"When we had to suffer the team is a lion because they suffer together." 4 July 2020 at Wolverhampton Wanderers
Arteta on his team's first away victory at a club above them in the Premiership since September 2015 at Leicester.
Do we have a chance to keep Ozil and build the team around him?
Quote:MattySadler
Worried about Xhaka. The lack of a viable alternative is a concern as well.
He's only 24 and has all of the tools, so I'm still certain he'll be a top player in his position, but that may be a couple of years down the line - can we afford to wait?
He is not a defensive midfielder and can't do all that Wenger expected him to do.
Like Pirlo-Gattuso, he is an old-fashioned central midfielder with limited tools and an accurate passing foot, he is at his best when partner with a purely defensive animal like Gattuso or Kante.
He was considered brilliant at Mblagh when partnered with a DCM like Kramer.
All that extra effort he's putting in, clearly putting himself in the shop window.
Quote:MattySadler
As good as the technique was for Ozil's goal, the best part was the way he read the situation. How many players would jog back to the edge of the penalty area when the ball is up in the air like that?
Great goal but easy on the superlatives. Alexis scored a similar goal against city in his debut season where he anticipated wilshere's header and created space for himself to volley in the 6 yard box. We always tend to overhype or overslate ozil's input and that's what grates the objective nerve.
Also he has been a consistent provider of assists during his time here, its not his fault that he has been surrounded by players who lack the wit to score them
"When we had to suffer the team is a lion because they suffer together." 4 July 2020 at Wolverhampton Wanderers
Arteta on his team's first away victory at a club above them in the Premiership since September 2015 at Leicester.