Mesut Ozil Central Figure in Arsenal's Villa Romp, and That Has to Continue

Mesut Ozil, the £42.5 million man, answered his critics in some style with a supreme display in Arsenal’s 3-0 win over Aston Villa on Saturday.

A goal, an assist and an all-round performance that reeked of desire was exactly what Arsenal wanted from their German pass master. It was a ray of light at the end of a tough week for Ozil.

The opening goal saw Ozil burst beyond Danny Welbeck to collect a pass and coolly stroke the ball beyond Brad Guzan.

Minutes later, Ozil reverted to type by delivering a delicious pass from the left that enabled Welbeck to open his account as an Arsenal player in the most emphatic of fashion.

It was a first-half performance from Ozil that oozed class. The Telegraph's John Percy couldn't help but be impressed, writing, "Ozil, much maligned after flaky performances against Manchester City and Dortmund, was restored to the centre of a three-man midfield and immediately appeared more content."

But it was also the sort of performance that will have Arsenal fans tearing their hair out in frustration.

How in the space of four days can Ozil go from his ridiculously inept display against Borussia Dortmund to the sublime performance at Villa Park?

Rui Vieira/Associated Press

Mercurial pretty much sums up Ozil since his move from Real Madrid to Arsenal in the summer of 2013. The Gunners, though, require far more from a man who cost them the not-insignificant sum of £42.5 million.

So, how can Arsenal get the best out of him?

The consensus is that Ozil has to be allowed to operate behind the central striker in his preferred No. 10 role. Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger revealed to the BBC after the win over Villa that the plan was to deploy Ozil in that role.

"Our plan was today to play Mesut behind their midfield to get in there and it worked," Wenger said.

Ozil’s heat map proved that he had the freedom to traverse the Villa Park pitch, and the Gunners were rewarded handsomely.

Freedom to express himself is exactly what Ozil craves; it is what Arsenal fans crave.

What Ozil does not want is to be parked on the left-hand side of midfield, as he was in the Gunners' mauling at the hands of Borussia Dortmund on Tuesday.

When he is stuck on the flank, Ozil's influence on the game is limited, and his interest appears to wane.

Wenger took the decision to play Ozil as the central, advanced figure in the middle of the park against Villa and it paid off.

He has to hold his nerve and persevere with that tactic. The rest is up to Ozil.