Mesut Ozil again failed to live up to his record-breaking £42m pricetag in Arsenal’s 5-1 defeat against Liverpool. The Gunners’ talisman remained anonymous in the match with his worst ever performance in an Arsenal shirt, giving the ball away for two of Liverpool’s first-half goals and failing to provide key touch or pass that he is renowned for.
It’s not the first time the German midfielder’s performance has been questioned in the big games. He has been found annoymous in vital games in the Premier League, Champions League and the Capital One Cup. Though there is no question that Ozil has provided a remarkable lift for the Gunners’ performance this season since his arrival from Real Madrid, according to football pundits like John Cross and Michael Owen, Ozil still needs a big game to prove his true potential.
Here is a look back at Ozil’s first Arsenal season and his worst three Premier League matches.
Mesut Ozil (whoscored.com)
3. Manchester City 6-3 Arsenal
Played 90’, Rating 6.52
“You don’t leave the pitch without thanking your travelling fans”
Mesut Ozil’s assist in the 3-6 humiliating loss to Manchester City was forgotten for the bust-up which involved him and Per Mertesacker. The midfielder’s attitude was again questioned by the crowds and even his international teammate. After the final whistle, Ozil didn’t applaud the travelling Gunners supporters and Mertesacker jabbed a finger in his face. The midfielder then made his way towards the tunnel while Mertesacker walked to the fans and threw his shirt into the crowd.
Ozil later apologised to the fans on his Facebook page, saying “Sorry I didn’t thank the fans at the end of the game! You have been brilliant to me and I know you had travelled a long way and spent your money to support us. I was upset with the result and know I should have come to you to say ‘thank you’ and I know it is a big Arsenal tradition win, lose or draw.”
2. Manchester United 1-0 Arsenal
Played 90’, Rating 6.23
Before the match, Ozil said that Arsenal would be travelling to Old Trafford to “have fun”. In the first half at Old Trafford, Ozil was anonymous, which was reflected on how well United kept him out of the No.10 position where he can be most dangerous. Things didn’t go better; even the German saw more of the ball, as David Moyes’ narrow system ensured there was not much space in Ozil’s “comfort zone”.
1. Liverpool 5-1 Arsenal
Played 61’, Rating 4.3
“Floated like a butterfly and stung like one.”
This is comfortably the worst ever performance Mesut Ozil has provided for the Gunners. The German failed to impact on the match and was substituted at 61 minutes. His only “contributions” were two vital errors leading to Liverpool’s goals, when he was robbed easily by Jordan Henderson on 17 minutes, followed by a simple finish at the far post by Raheem Sterling, and when another mistake of him made Daniel Sturridge net the Red’s fourth goal.
This time, Arsenal fans eventually lost their patience. Ozil was accused of being “uninterested”, “lazy” and “a complete waste of money” on twitter. After the match, the German posted “#COYG” on his Facebook page. Not comforting enough for angry fans.
However, it was not until Ozil joined Arsenal when he was questioned for lack of contribution in big meetings. Back in the Real Madrid years, his flopping performance in El Clasico made him always the nearly man.
Ozil played 9 games against Barcelona before leaving the Bernabeu, providing only one assist and one goal in 473 minutes and was rated 5.9 averagely. Whereas Real Madrid only managed to win one out of the nine games, lost five and had three draws.
The German playmaker is signed for helping Arsenal to win these big meeting, for which he hasn’t shown much capability. His horrible under-performed 61 minutes at Anfield Stadium is just a recall of the memory of those unkind whispers on Real Madrid’s decision of selling him for his form and attitude.
By Natalia Zuo
