There seems to be a cult of 'thou shalt not ever criticize Ozil' on here. He's a wonderfully talented player and he isn't given enough credit for how hard he works, however in tight games against well organized teams he goes missing too often. Last night was one of those games.
I'm with you, P. I'd suggest that Arsenal played pretty well last night. The only poor performances coming from the two wing backs. Performances of note to Chambers & Xhaka.
Ozil chased a lot of lost causes, made some lovely little passes and flicks. He can't play killer balls every week - especially against a team as well organised as Athletico. If you want evidence of their organisational skills then look no further than the fact that 41% of the game was played in their third and we had only one shot on target (a speculative drive from distance).
And yet time and again he’s singled out by those within the game for his inconsistency. Keown savaged him in the press today.
That’s an opinion. It doesn’t make it a fact. Fair enough that you disagree with him. Ozil divides opinions like no other player we have but he’s a luxury player and probably not one who plays to his strengths against a well organised, physical defence