It is not only the Germany international star that needs to pull his socks up for Arsenal and put in the sort of performance we know that he can, but as he is among the club’s top earners, if not the very top as some sources have suggested, as well as having the reputation of being one of the best creative footballers on the planet, you can understand why people expect more from Mesut Ozil.
While the German play maker was still having an impact and often a telling one on games up until his recent drop off, Ozil’s effectiveness has fallen away in the second half of the season. When he scored against West Ham at the start of Decemeber it ook his goal tally to eight and that matched his best ever for Arsenal with more than half of the season to go.
Just like his assists last season, however, those numbers have dried up and Ozil has added just one more strike for Arsenal since then, in the comfortable home win over Stoke City. There have been a lot less assists from Ozil this time as well and those who criticise him for being lazy have now got a stat to back up that theory.
The Mirror reports that Ozil’s distance covered per game is now at 10.5 km and that is down from 10.7 last season which was down from 10.9 the previous one, so it is clear that Mesut’s efforts are dropping and even though it is not a huge drop, it is a damning stat given the circumstances.