He hauled ass yesterday.....Really? I can assure you that virtually everyone in the stand around me was calling for him to be subbed. That bloke who runs the London marathon in a deep sea diving suit would have covered more ground than Ozil last night. I would appreciate a link to something official that says he covered more ground than any other EPL midfield player last year. If true, then he must have OD'd on mogadon before last night's game.
He had a poor game but he was definitely tracking back and forth. Still doesn't change the fact that your assertion that he's lazy is wrong.
The problem with Ozil is that he's like a Rolls Royce, he is refined and classy. He doesn't do running around like a crazy man like Rooney.
It's not just the Bayern game. There are stats floating around for him and ground covered and it's all positive but that doesn't suit people's needs to lay into him. The problem for Mesut seems to be his body language as he always looks slightly hangdog/disinterested. People seem to see this and assume he's lazy when he's actually not. I'll grant you he's a right fanny when attempting to tackle people mind!
One of the finest English midfielders of the last twenty years was Paul Schools and his attempts at tackling were legendary.
I'd say that's a good thing - it means that he's generally in the right place to receive the ball - as opposed to behind the left back as you find Rooney quite often.
Paul Scholes made an effort though, too much effort in fact. Ãzil waves a leg with his eyes closed and hopes for the best!
My complaints with Ozil are more him disappearing from games or giving the ball away cheaply than not charging around tackling
I agree Lazarus, to my eyes he does seem to cover quite a bit of ground and last night was running to make space quite a lot. But there's this perception about him that he's lazy and so no matter what he does, people will criticise him for it. In much the same way that they'll criticize Giroud and Wilshere for being S*** this season no matter what they do, or that Ramsey this season can do no wrong, whereas 2 seasons ago it was more that Ramsey shouldn't be playing for a Prem team, and as a result could do no right. It seems very difficult to look past these perceptions.
Hmm, that's actually a good point about Ramsey. He's been very Fat Frank the last few games, doing very little (well), but then making up for it with a goal! Early early days of course and I'm hoping for a continuation of last season.
Wilshere has been plagued with injuries and with the added pressure of Ozil, Cazorla and Ramsey, he is trying too hard which has led to him making mistakes. Thankfully last night he looked a lot better, as did Cazorla. In some way I feel for these guys as the central attacking midfield areas are heavily stocked with quality players. If Diaby can get back to some fitness, then it would be a very difficult place to nail a place in.
Cazorla put in the best defensive performance I seen from him last night, Absolutely superb. Ozil isn't lazy. There just is no other way of saying it. if you think he is lazy you are flat out wrong. He may look lazy, but that is completely different. We have had this time and time again with certain foreign players particularly skilled attacking players. Players like Roy Keane get our approval as hard workers, but they were really just ball chasers. First of all they get a free role in the middle of the park and don't have any responsibility, second they are assigned as the first defender (on the ball) and so get the opportunity to confront a lot of players. They look a lot like they are hard working. I don't get the Ozil hate. He is always one of the best players on the park as far as I see it. I can watch him play all day. The guy makes it look easy. Maybe that's what some people are seeing as lazy.
Ozil is immense, he makes it look easy and people don't realise just how much he contributes. He's our most talented player and he should play whenever he is fit. He's capable of changing a game in a moment of magic and that's what you need to win trophies. And since he signed we've won our first trophies in years. He had a very good first season finishing with 7 goals and 15 assists and stats like chances created and passes in the final third amongst the best players in europe. Thats in his first season in a new more physical league in a new country with a language he wasn't very comfortable with. He's been an integral part of teams winning trophies in Germany, Spain and England (the 3 best football leagues in europe) and an important part of a German International team that has done very well in that time including winning the World Cup. He is World Class. His ability to spot and execute a pass are next to none, his close control, running with the ball, pace, positioning are all top quality. He is an intelligent football player and one of the best in the world. I enjoy watching him play and like his style of football. I prefer to see him play centrally and its best when he doesnt have too many defensive duties, though he does cover a LOT of ground despite not looking like he is. But he's started well in the leagueandour team andi expect him to continue to improve and be an important part of us winning more trophies. I have no idea why people insist on trying to give him flack.
if we wanted someone to run around and kick everyone to win the ball then we have someone already called Flamini. he will run all day. thats his job. we could get an upgrade. if we wanted someone to create chances for others to stick in back of the net then that is Ozil. he will create all day. thats his job. there is no upgrade IMO. we need a mixture of artisans and workers. Ozil is a artisan and Flamini is the worker. get of Ozil's back and get behind him. FFS he is the best i have seen in that position since Dennis [the Godlike genius]. we just need another striker to be more clinical in finishing Ozil's chances.
I was happy with Ozil's work rate yesterday, he was tracking back, and did play a part in the goal that won the game.
