Analysing Mesut Ozil's Early-Season Form for Arsenal

Mesut Ozil is used to expectations being high. When he arrived at Arsenal in the summer of 2013, he instantly become the most expensive player in the club’s history.

That’s a significant burden to bear, and it means his performances have been the subject of constant analysis. Lesser players would crumble under the strain.

Arsene Wenger, however, must think that Ozil can flourish under that kind of scrutiny.

Speaking to Amy Lawrence of the Guardian at the start of the season, he was in no mood to downplay any hype around Arsenal’s No. 10.

Wenger spoke glowingly about Ozil’s potential impact in 2015/16, saying:

"

What I think is that he shows more authority to dictate the game than before. He is physically stronger, that is for sure, and he is more equipped to deal with the Premier League. In the second part of last season we saw the intelligence of his passing, the fact that he added some steel to his game that was needed certainly in the Premier League. I’m confident that he can be one of the great players of 2015-16. He can become player of the year.

"

That’s a high benchmark to meet, but why should Ozil aim any lower? This, after all, is a player who has won the World Cup. There’s little dispute that he’s one of the most naturally gifted footballers in the Premier League, and after two years of acclimatisation, he should now be in a position to translate that talent into tangible contributions on the field.

That said, anyone expecting him to start the campaign like a house on fire will have been disappointed. Ozil underwhelmed on the opening day against West Ham United, looking distressingly like the fragile figure we saw for much of the first half of last season.

However, he has responded well since then. In the following game, he produced a number of outrageous pieces of skill in Arsenal’s win at Crystal Palace—a win that looks all the more impressive the longer Palace’s good run continues.

Julian Finney/Getty Images

Since then, his progress has largely followed an upward trajectory, with performances making a steady improvement. His best showings of the season have actually come in the last two Premier League matches: against Leicester City and Manchester United.

The Leicester display was, in many ways, an archetypal Ozil performance. He started the game somewhat feebly, being outmuscled on the ball and looking disinterested off it. However, he sprung into life in spectacular fashion, making a major contribution to each of Arsenal’s first four goals.

Take his involvement in Arsenal’s goal to level the scores up at 1-1. When the ball was played into him with his back to goal on the edge of the box, it seemed obvious to turn inside and play the ball with his left foot. Instead, Ozil diverted the ball with his right boot out to the wing. Without even turning his head, he had identified the run of Hector Bellerin, who subsequently crossed for Alexis Sanchez to score.

Catherine Ivill - AMA/Getty Images

The moment that really caught the eye was his assist for Alexis’ second goal of the day. Placed on the edge of the area, Ozil eschewed the opportunity to shoot, instead clipping a beautiful chip to the far post where the Chilean climbed above Kasper Schmeichel to head home. It was a moment of glorious imagination and immaculate technique—Ozil to a tee.

It’s his creativity that marks him out as a special player. Ozil has made 27 key passes this season—a figure only bettered by West Ham’s new arrival Dimitri Payet. He has collected four assists from seven Premier League appearances. Only David Silva and, perhaps surprisingly, Wes Hoolahan create more goals per game.

Of course, everyone recognises that Ozil should score more often. He has the technical skill to beat most goalkeepers, but it seems he struggles for conviction in front of goal.

Fortunately for Arsenal, he got off the mark in style in the most recent game against Manchester United, side-footing home to put the Gunners 2-0 ahead.

JUSTIN TALLIS/Getty Images

What was so exciting about Ozil’s performance against United was the way he stepped up to the challenge against a big team. When a player is signed for a huge fee, fans understandably want them to make their impact felt against rival clubs, proving the difference in otherwise close encounters.

Until now, Ozil has struggled to make his presence felt in these showpiece occasions. However, he was outstanding against United, tormenting Louis van Gaal’s men with his intelligent movement into space between the midfield and back four.

With Aaron Ramsey tucking in from the right-hand side, Ozil is liberated to join up with Theo Walcott and Alexis in an unconventional front three. The results, thus far, have been spectacular.

It’s wonderful to see Ozil’s understanding with Alexis developing too. The two biggest signings in the club’s history are beginning to terrorise defences in tandem.

Speaking to Arsenal's official website (h/t the Express) at the back end of last season, Ozil alluded to that blossoming partnership:

"

[My partnership with Alexis is] progressing really well, and you can see that in our matches.

He’s really important for the team and that shows with the goals—he’s scored a lot of goals this season.

You can see it in training too—I look for him when I have the ball because he makes those runs. For that reason, we’re happy to have a player like that in our ranks.

"

It seems that work on the training ground is paying off. Together, Ozil and Alexis are able to accentuate the other's strengths. They make for a formidable pair.

Alex Livesey/Getty Images

There remains room for improvement. Ozil is still coming up short in most physical confrontations.

The stats show he has won just 39 percent of his one-to-one duels this season. Of the regular Arsenal first-team players, that’s comfortably the lowest ratio. Even Santi Cazorla, hardly the most intimidating physical specimen, has fared better with 47 percent. 

Ozil is an impressive athlete, quicker and stronger than those figures would suggest. During his time on the sidelines last season, he bulked up significantly. Now he needs to gain the mental attitude required to make the most of his physical gifts. He’s never going to be Francis Coquelin, but being a little more robust would allow him to influence games all the more.

The idea that Ozil could yet get better is a tantalising prospect for the Arsenal fans. The season is still young.

If Ozil can find the fighting spirit to pair with his undeniable skill, Wenger’s bold claim that he could be Player of the Season could yet come to pass.

All stats via Squawka

James McNicholas is Bleacher Report's lead Arsenal correspondent and is following the club from a London base throughout 2015/16. Follow him on Twitter here.