Arsene Wenger has claimed that Arsenal attacking midfielder, Mesut Ozil, has reached his ‘golden age’.
This comes on the back of a string of high-quality performances from the World Cup winner. Most recently, Ozil’s influential role in Arsenal’s 2-0 win against Bayern Munich typified the sort of form he has produced so far this season. The 27-year-old has also been in blistering form in the Premier League, where Arsenal see themselves second in the table only two points off Manchester United in top spot.
Wenger said that Ozil is now a “vital” part of his team, after being heavily questioned last season for his so-called ‘invisible’ performances.
He is 27 now.
It is the golden age of a football player, 27 to 31, 32, the age when you know your job, you realise suddenly that it is not only important to play, it is important to win as well.
You go into that period thinking, ‘finally’. [When you are] under 25 you think you can last forever.
Once you get to 27 you realise it’s time to capitalise on what you have learned and efficiency takes a little bit over the playing mood.
Talent-wise, I think deeply he is a very, very collective player. He is a very respectful guy.
If you tell him to do that he will do it for you. I think his talent is exceptional.
His talent is fantastic. Sometimes I think he sacrifices himself for the team.
He plays in the link between the low midfield and the striker. He is the vital part in that.
When he has the ball in the final part of the pitch, he has the most assists. There he is vital.
However, Ozil isn’t the only reason for Arsenal’s run of good form. Another player who has been a massive influence for the Gunners this term is the mercurial Chilean forward, Alexis Sanchez. His run of form started in the game away at Leicester City where he ended a goal streak lasting nearly ten games by scoring a sensational hat-trick. In just over a season in north London, the Copa America winner has become a huge fans’ favourite because of his exciting playing style and habit to really turn it up in the ‘big’ games.
When both Ozil and Alexis are on song, they’re unplayable, as they showed at the King Power Stadium. Their playing styles compliment each other and the link-up play is often exhilarating.
Arsenal face Everton at 17:30pm BST on Saturday afternoon, with both Ozil and Alexis likely to start.
