Arsene Wenger has paid tribute to Mesut Ozil after his performance against Everton today.
The German got a goal and an assist in the 4-1 win, and after a few weeks of intense – and often quite stupid – criticism, Ozil showed today that perhaps he’s sparked his season back into life.
But it wasn’t just about end product, Ozil did his shift from a defensive point of view also.
“What I liked with him is that physically he looked regenerated, having more power in his runs,” said Wenger.
“As well I liked that he did a lot of dirty work for a player like him, that means he tracked back in the first half – especially on the counter attack he came back with long runs. When he behaves like that of course you have a better chance to win the game.”
The goal today was Ozil’s first for three months, and the manager was glad to see him back on the scoresheet.
“Of course it’s important for him he took his chance because sometimes you want him to take the chance because he always looks for the good pass.
“I hope that will encourage him.”
Tuesday would be a good time to get a couple against a Bayern Munich side who are clearly struggling for form, only scoring 6 against Wolfburg today.
Absolutely perfect performance from Ozil today. If our team can play consistently like they did today or against Sunderland then we have a good chance at a trophy this season. COYG!
He was magic today. every touch was class, picked out players with delighful passes, see the looping one for Cazorla, got an assist and ofcourse assisted himself to a goal. He was something else today, also noticed abit more “oomph” about him. (highlighted when he kept the ball at the edge of everton box, normally he would be knocked off it quite easily)
with Ramsey to return, ozil regenerated and the ox a total beast, this season will end on a high especially if we play like we did today.
He was oozing confidence. Something we haven’t seen from him in a long time. He was taking on two players at once throughout the match, pulling off ridiculous dribbling tricks you normally only see in video games. This was the performance of a man reborn
What makes this day even better is Tim ‘Gooner’ Sherwood having a go at his own Spuds and saying “people and the club think we will finish top four… wake up.”
Still have to blink twice sometimes, cant believe Ozil plays for us.
The former Galactico who left Real Madrid… and now reps the cannon on his chest.
What a signing.
What a player.
I’ve kept my mouth shut on here about Özil. He’s just too polarizing a figure for me to comment on, but I’ve always felt like what you just said. It’s remained a bit unreal to me even considering his dip. Mesut is like when you decide to take the peanut butter out of the fridge before you start the bagel. So by the time the bagels done the peanut butter has a slight melt. Make for the smoothest, yet cleanest spread imaginable.
He shouldn’t be a polarizing figure. At. All. Anybody who doubts his qualities as a professional footballer – and believe he isn’t worth the money / good enough to play for Arsenal are flat out morons, .. to be honest, those people.. they’re so stupid I’m genuinely surprised that they have the mental capacity necessary to use/operate a keyboard.
Well done Arsenal hope you guys play well against us on Wednesday have not been tested this year. Oh and we have just equaled your 49-game streak well as they say imitation is the highest form of flattery.
Premier League > Bundesliga
I disagree but then unlike you i have watched all the major leagues in Europe and the only watchable team in England is Arsenal the rest are boring especially Chelsea. And this coming from watching games live in the stadium. Anyway your opinion just can’t stand watching the Premier League.
Just think of this: is it remotely feasible to think Eintracht Braunschweig (bottom in Bundesliga) could beat Fulham? There you have your answer
I never said I only watch premier league! You should never assume…
You say that, but clearly you haven’t been watching Southampton/Swansea or even Everton play; there’s lots of good football in the premiership and ignoring that because you don’t like the press claiming that it’s the ‘best league evah!’ is as ignorant as ignoring the Bundesliga just because they have one superteam hoovering up all the talent from the teams that might challenge them.
Because you are from a English speaking country and in my experience people from english speaking countries only watch the prem such as England when i lived in london for 5 years.
well that’s a pretty stupid assumption to make based on the fact that you’re commenting on an english website. just because someone is typing in english does not mean they are from an english-speaking country, or are a first-language speaker… and even if they are, with the way tv coverage is, most leagues are relatively easily accessible to many people.
He is not convinced they would get such an easy ride elsewhere. “Bayern wouldn’t go unbeaten in the English league,” he says. “The depth of the Premier League in terms of quality is higher, even if it is not at the top any more. Teams playing at the bottom of the Premier League have a higher standard than the Bundesliga. They have more money, bigger squads.”
Jens Lehmann today. Kinda puts our discussion to bed doesn’t it.
We did it without paying 30+ million for half our team and poaching from our close rivals!
Now that is bullshit half our team is home grown, such as Lahm, Kroos, Muller Schweinstieger, Badstuber , David Alaba, and Diego Contento. And apart from Javi Martinez and Mario Goetze no one costs more than 30 mill.
Although it’s admirable the way the Bundesliga runs financially you do have a large advantage over the rest of your league.
How about Lewandowski?
He is Free
Also can you not just take a compliment and leave it no need for League bashing.
You got a test in the first leg for half an hour then well you know what happened. Oh yeah and I hope we stuff you on TUESDAY.
You have to be careful what you say on here Jude. Some are so partisan than even raising an eyebrow constitutes heresy from their point of view. Thanks for the compliment AND for knowing that we had that record. Good luck also on Tuesday -you’ll need it!!!!
Complimentary yes, but a little condescending, and more than a little cocky to be coming onto an Arsenal blog talking like that. I’m glad you’re doing well and everything but I hope we fucking smash you into next year on Wednesday.
Jude, I come from Israel (so am not a native English speaker), am a hardcore Gooner and I watch the Bundesliga, Serie A, Liga BBVA, EPL and even the Liga Sagres on a regular basis.
The Bundesliga is nowhere near the English Premier League in terms of intensity, level, pace, competitiveness.
I realized how weak the Bundesliga is when 2nd ranked Leverkusen got hammered 5-0 by the weakest UTD side in years.
Credit when it’s due for your marvelous achievement, but comparing it to Arsenal’s 49 games undefeated streak is ridiculous to say the least.
Why is it ridiculous? What did Arsenal achieve in Europe during their streak? I have a lot of respect for Arsenal and truly hope they win at least the FA Cup,but this a very special Bayern side. Last year they beat the eventual Spanish and Italian Champions by a combined 11-0 on the way to winning the Champions League.
Bundesliga is boring. There is no competition for Bayern Munich. Who would want to watch that? All the trophies are decided Even before the season begins. The thing that makes Premier League great is the fact that everyone can beat everyone. And there is usually nerve wrecking competition for titles right up until the end. Pretty much every German that have played both in Bundesliga and in the Premier League Agree that the Premier League is by far the most exciting league to play in. Same with La Liga, 2 teams dominating the rest. But good for them that Athletico… Read more »
no matter the performance he puts on, am just glad we have him in our squad. COYG
This. I agree wholeheartedly with this comment. We signed fucking Mesut Ozil.
Mesut Özil! Mesut fucking Özil! At the Arsenal!
Disagree. Most fans have had there fill of ‘moral’ victories. I’d rather have Hesky if it means we win a trophy. Ozil, win us a trophy! COYG
Have to disagree. If anything our run of moral victories is even worse in transfers than it’s been in the league recently.
Atta boy
Ozil had that spring in his step today like in his first 10 games of the season, still not at his very best yet but his quality is so obvious that its appalling when he gets the criticism and words like ‘flop’ get thrown around.
Yeah that’s the difference between rested ozil and knackered ozil. hope we dnt play him 90mins every game this month. world class but still human and needs a rest in light of the ridiculous fa fixture list.
And did you see him smiling and running towards Arteta to celebrate his penalty goal? That was class, given his history with penalties
I agree, the bond within the team is super. Watch this clip from Ozil’s goal, especially the celebration after he scores. You know what popped out at me, is when Flamini turned around and called to the others playing at the back, almost as if to say” Come and celebrate. Give him more confidence and show him (Ozil) that we believe in him, and always have. It reminded me of a special moment, when Sagna scored the 1st against sp*ds when we were trailing 0 – 2, as Blogs said at that time, it was almost as if by scoring… Read more »
Ozil was awesome today. He needs his own song.
We’re off to see the wizard,
the wonderful wizard of oz!
Because, because, because, because,
because of the wonderful things he does.
Repeat ad nauseam.
Our very own Doctor Whozil.
Lets not go over the top with praise and again on critisism. He is a WORLD class player and needed to perform to the best of his abilities. Also learn new skills from other players in this league as they have different qualities here.
Welcome back meine fruend
Criticism
That should silence the critics/haters for at least a week or two. Form is temporary,class is permanent. Well done Arsenal,fantastic result ans Wembley awaits…..
Lol at the last comment. Struggling for form indeed hahaha
My taut is that the players have all done well and they deserve credicts for their performances! Kudos Guys, let us go to the Final.
Me-shoot Ozil..
On a side note, looks like we will playing against the ref and chelsea at stamford bridge.
Did anyone notice flaming urging everyone to come over and celebrate with Ozil?
I guess I should have read the whole thread before I replied to a comment above.
Yes, Gary, that stood out for me from the whole celebration.
Stupid Sp*rs! They can’t do anything right. All I wanted was for them to go to Stamford bridge and beat Chelsea. Can’t send a boy to do a man’s job. I guess we’ll have to beat Chelsea ourselves
Watching the Chelsea game. Making me sick. 1st the slip gift goal and then the bullshit penalty goal and red card. Bullshit bullshit bullshit. With all the second half gifts Chelsea must think it is Christmas all over again. Mourinho is an asshole.
When was the last time we had a penalty and red card to our favour in a big game? Must have been Man City 0-3 Arsenal back in 2010- and that was when Man City wasn’t even a big team, when they had Everton-standard players and only pipped us to third place that year because of our awful fuckup and tapping up Nasri and all that. How many times have we had red card + penalty in big games since then? 0-2 City at home, the 8-2, Barcelona, Munich etc….. Actually, you can change my initial question to “when was… Read more »
John Terry looks a complete cunt with those earrings in.
John Terry looks like a complete cunt.
J*hn T*rry IS a complete cunt.
John Terry
just loving the arsenal fans humour <3
humour?
John Terry looks a complete cunt without those earrings.
Jude, your team are probably the best in Europe currently, but you don’t have to play two games a week, every week for almost the entire season. If we start comparing leagues there is only one question. Can the top of the prem afford to “rest” players against the mid table fodder let alone the bottom teams? No.
Be humble. Boring is in the eye of the beholder.
Even when my team(Bayern) was shit and in the Uefa Cup i still thought the prem was boring in fact even more so because i lived in England at the time and would watch every prem game and try not to fall asleep but i was a child so that may have formed my bias and humble opinion i love football and i am just happy my team is doing well i just wish it would happen to for my little brothers favourite team Arsenal as well so the competitiveness of the prem is not in question it is now… Read more »
I take it that Bayern supporters are educationally challenged Jude, judging by your comment. Have you ever heard of punctuation? Your comment rambled on without a single comma or full stop to be seen anywhere. I found it both irritating and distracting having to break it into intelligible sections. Arsenal beat your side last year in the CL and would have qualified if not for bad luck. Lightening does strike in the same place twice and it is perfectly feasible that the gunners could repeat the performance. I’ve watched a lot of Bayern games this year. Games that they’ve totally… Read more »
SMALL TURKISH GERMAN
WE’VE GOT A SMALL TURKISH GERMAN
SMALL TURKISH GEEEEERRRRMAAAAN
WE’VE GOT A SMALL TURKISH GERMAAAAN
No we don’t. Now see yourself out, twat.
Well come on then – come up with a better one! (WTF rhymes with “Ozil”?..or.,come to that, “Mesut”?)
Firstly, he is a third generation German, so I don’t see the point of calling him ‘Turkish German’.
Do you call Jay Rodriguez a Spanish Englishman?
Welbeck a Ghanaian Englishman?
Raheem Sterling a Jamaican Englishman?
Rooney an Irish Englishman?
Sturridge a Jamaican Englishman?
Cahill an Irish Englishman?
Ashley Cole a West Indian Englishman?
Jagielka a Polish Englishman?
Furthermore, he’s 5’11” and 168lb, so he’s about average size.
Any more questions?
Nosehairs- The ‘twat’ comment was highly unnecessary. Why can one not be a patriotic citizen and proud of one’s heritage. Ozil is proud of his heritage and has a special bond with Turkey and the Turkish people. In fact, he considers himself a Turkish German, saying the following about his decision to play for Germany: ‘My family and I will always be Turkish but I was born and I live in Germany. I feel more comfortable in a Germany shirt.’ From experience, they do get offended if you refer to Ozil as German. They will tell you he is Turkish… Read more »
Sorry, by ‘they’ I meant the Turkish people I have met in Istanbul.
Maybe ‘twat’ was a little strong, I admit. But the quote you give seems to say to me that he considers himself a German, and rightly so, if he and his parents were born and lived in Germany why shouldn’t he see himself as a German? I just don’t like it when people bring up Ozil’s turkish ancestry, as if to so ‘oh he’s not *really* German’, but you’ll never see them saying the same about certain people who represent their country, and who have far more right to be considered ‘foreign’ than Ozil, e.g. when their parents were born… Read more »
Epic judgement on Bavaria’s form. 🙂
Ozil was massive today one goal and one assist, man of the match performance. We just need to keep this motivation, belief and confidence with the upcoming games.Keep the faith!COYG!
Ozil is back.
Off topic (sorry) but I’ve just seen Tim Sherwood’s interview. Bloody hell! The best interview since Keegan’s rant.
Hahaha, I just watched it. Class entertainment.
If you haven’t seen it yet, then go ahead and watch it: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8CGygbrAHK4
“For more great video’s subscribe to Sky Sports Youtube” No thanks Sky, I think I’m done watching video’s forever. It was simply the greatest thing I will ever see.
Stupid Spuds. Cant be trusted to do anything right. And looks like its going to be 11 vs 13 at that God awful Stinkford Bridge. Maybe Mourinho wont moan like a cunt for a change but who am I kidding?
Ozil to the Ar – se – nal…
Spurs were shit today, but you can bet when they meet us they’ll play out of their skins. They probably can’t finish top four now but they’ll do everything they can to finish off our title chances. The ref was a knob today: he allowed himself to be conned by Eto’o, but that incident highlighted again just how stupid the current law is for denying a clear goal-scoring opportunity. The punishment should not be a penalty AND a sending off; just the penalty was sufficient. The kaboul dismissal ruined the game. I just hope that City or even Liverpool stop… Read more »
Looked like a clear penalty to me. Maybe the red was harsh, but on the other hand Sandro could have been given 4 or more yellows. It was just a typical shitty performance from a ref, what’s new?
From one fat boy to another…
well said chubby..
; )
Everybody loves Ozil again!
Is there a more fickle bunch than football fans
Yes. Manchester United fans.
Was the football fans slating ozil? Arsenal fans?? I cant remember seeing any fickle arsenal fans giving it to him? No arsenal fan has stopped loving him? If there is then there not an arsenal fan! Maybe they get frustrated, but surely they realise its his first season, and he was fatigued. And the comment above? lol
You obviously weren’t reading the comments here after the Bayern game.
In my humble opinion far too much nonesense has been written in the media regarding Ozil and it’s just a shame enough people allow themselves to be swayed by such tripe. In fact, Arsenal are the media’s top target; it’s great everytime we have a bad result, gives them the opportunity to harp on about the 9 years without a trophy and I believe it has subconsciously affected many Gooners when things don’t go well and ultimately reaction to bad results. In short they prey on our obvious anxiety. And that’s what the media has done with Ozil. Yes his… Read more »
If you put bayern in the prem they would be in the fight for 1st with the other 5 or so teams , but if you put any of the top teams in England in the German league they do what Bayern do n win !
If the Prem is much better than why are two German teams almost certainly moving on the quarterfinals, while the Prem May have one.
Completely rehabilitated, reinvigorated, reassimilated and relocated. Gö Özil
Media like to spew their own narrative and manufacture crisis when there is none. Particularly for Arsenal since Liverpool are in and amongst us at the moment and most pundits are oddly Liverpool (including the clueless and blatantly bias Owen) That said, we have recently the makers of our own demise and have done nothing to revise the view put forth by the general media. This win may hopefully afford us new found belief and spur Ozil and company on into form for the final end of the season. Tough ask at Munich but if we nick a 2 goal… Read more »
@Jude needs a pat on his back….(with a hammer: for his arrogance!)…but comparing bundesliga strength to the prem is just nonsense. i can confidently say that no other team for the next 10/20 years will go unbeaten like our mighty invincibles.
They may have been invincible in England, but they mostly invisible in Europe; unlike this current Bayern side.
Anyone with knowledge of football would know that the ability of Ozil is unquestionable. Being one of the best players in the world 3 Seasons in a row for both club and country should be answer enough for anyone questioning his ability. He is not the first player to struggle to get going in a New country and a New league, and he wont be the last. But he does not lose all his footballing skills over night, and the stuff that made him one of the best footballers in the world is still in him, and he will only… Read more »
To show what i mean i have compared him to some similar players in the league. Ozil: 6 goals and 13 Assists David Silva: 5 goals 10 Assists Coutinho: 3 goals 5 Assists Rooney: 13 Goals 15 Assists Ben Arfa: 3 goals 4 Assists Christian Eriksen: 5 goals 5 Assists Nasri: 9 goals 7 Assists Oscar: 12 goals 5 Assists Yaya Toure: 17 goals 5 Assist So Ozil might be under achieving alot compared to how good we know he is, but his overall performance is on par with many of the best midfielders in the league in terms of… Read more »
Questions that might have been answered yesterday. Can Ozil dominate a game, score a goal, get an assist and combine well wih Cazorla ? YES. Does this show Ozil has mental strength? Yes. Did I think Arteta could play the way he did i.e running with the ball, attacking the ball on the right wing at least once when pressing and playing really fast attacking football ? No. And I really think oxlade-chamberlain can become a world class player and i think he should be starting on the right wing for england. And am not saying just come am an… Read more »