The Ozil Cazorla Sanchez Axis

I still think Ozil's poor form has largely been symptomatic of the system he has played in and/or the position he's played in.

Whilst his possession-retention is generally very good, he becomes very easy to read when played down the left-flank. He's incredibly one-footed, so putting him on his natural (or unnatural side since he's a playmaker) greatly limits his passing options, which results in him squandering possession more cheaply.
He doesn't have the burst of acceleration or the body strength needed to drive by his opponent down the line on a consistent basis, and when cutting inside, he doesn't have the ability to shield the ball with his weaker foot, which means it's pretty easy to rob him of the ball for a full-back when he's played in this position.

Further, with the lack of pace we've generally had over the top, teams have been able to press us higher up the pitch in many of the games Ozil has played.
This is something which can affect any midfielder - no matter how good they are. Look at how poor Cazorla looked when we got pinned back and pressed by Tottenham (75% passing accuracy compared to the >90% he had against Man City two weeks earlier).

We've rarely got to see Ozil play both centrally and with runners in-behind for him to feed (and to reduce the opposition's ability to press), but any time we have done, he's looked fantastic. This may have been against relatively weak opposition, but if you watch him play this role for Madrid, you can see how well he copes even against the most physically combative, well-drilled teams.
Look at how well he has done in the past against teams like Guardiola's Barcelona, Bielsa's Bilbao, or Simeone's Atletico.

If we allow him to play his natural game, I don't think there's any reason Ozil can't play well in the high-pressure games.

DaStuDogg (U9291), Ozil spent most of today on the left though?

#half know fere, Forza iz hear!
NO.

Said this ages ago that Santi should play deep with Ozil ahead of him! Something has just clicked for Carzola from a deep position. He uses the ball so well and actually helps us play it out of defence better.

That's why Ox is now a starter in this team for me because the way he runs with the ball along aoth Sanchez pins the opposition full backs and their defensive midfielders allowing Ozil and Santi more space and time on the ball.

Against high pressing teams like Spurs and Liverpool I would like to see Welbeck start ahead of Giroud.

DaStu
Incredible insight there!

comment by The Godfather (U10154)
posted 21 minutes ago
comment by Lado -The Best Number 10 (U7144)
posted 6 minutes ago
comment by The Godfather (U10154)
posted 4 minutes ago
Ozil on form is potentially our best player. Bold claim, but he is one of the most amazing players i have seen play for us. The way he glides around and the unorthdox way he plays is something special, he can shoot well and his passing is as good as cesc if not better. The touches control and instinictive reactions are outrageous at times
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You mean when he is playing against a slow, non-aggresive team. When its time to step up..he usually goes into hiding that is what he lacks to reach the level of Cazorla or Sanchez..and other top players across the globe.
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Messi is pretty poor against aggressive teams that press. Does that mean he is not top class?
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There is no way you can compare Messi with Ozil.. Aggressive or not Messi destroys opponents one way or the other, even when he is marked by the whole team he finds a way, that determination, willingness to to keep going is what Ozil seem to lack..specially when playing against Top players.

You reckon he would do better on the right? He played there quite a lot for Madrid.

comment by The Godfather (U10154)
posted 8 minutes ago
DaStuDogg (U9291), Ozil spent most of today on the left though?
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He did appear a lot down left-flank today, but if you look at the heatmaps, his average position was actually central. He drifted all over the park today, and I think it's when he's given this sort of freedom that he's able to thrive.
He does a lot of good work down the channels and in the wide-areas, but I think the distinction between playing a free-role (and drifting into these areas) and playing out-wide is that in the former you get to pick and choose where there is space to exploit, and thus you get the freedom to choose when to drift into the channels.
When Ozil is forced to play as more of a wide player, he doesn't have anywhere near the same freedom to roam - not to mention the fact that he's forced to track their full-back all the way down the field when we've lost possession - which makes him a lot easier to defend against.

Thankyou, Wumpatrol

comment by Wumpatrol - And you and I climb over valleys of endless seas... (U5046)
posted 8 minutes ago
You reckon he would do better on the right? He played there quite a lot for Madrid.
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I'm not sure if this was aimed at me, but I think he would do better down the right, simply because he'd be able to cut in on his stronger foot. I still don't think it's ideal for him though.

comment by Castor Troy (U8700)
posted 7 hours, 16 minutes ago
I still would be hesitant with playing Ozil against the big teams
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Clown.