Since joining Arsenal in 2013, Mesut Özil has been no stranger to controversy. Widely known as the best playmaking number 10 in football during his time with Real Madrid, the German wizard attracted the ire of both the media and fans alike during his first season at Arsenal. While much of the initial criticism has been unfair, Özil was expected to tally a much more impressive showing during his second year in North London. Arsene Wenger however, had a curveball for him. Taking inspiration from Jogi Löw’s World Cup winning tactics, the Frenchman began deploying Özil wide left in a 4-1-4-1, in an effort to accommodate an extra midfielder in the center of the pitch. While the beginning of the experiment seemed like a slight debacle, recent showing out wide prove that Özil may be able to adapt to his new role. There could be many benefits to Arsenal’s newly implemented setup, but is it worth shunting their record signing out of his best position?
As a central attacking midfielder, Özil is one of the finest in the world. After exploding onto the football scene with his electrifying displays at the 2010 World Cup, he was signed by Real Madrid for €15m. Initially brought in as cover for Kaka, Özil managed to displace the Brazilian Galactico from the starting 11 all together, cementing himself as one of the best playmakers in football in the process. While Jose Mourinho did occasionally test him out in wide positions, Özil spent a large majority of his Real Madrid career as a number 10. In a central role, he was able to truly implement himself on games, silkily gliding around the pitch to provide star attackers Ronaldo, Benzema and Di Maria with his laser point through-balls. After moving to Arsenal for a club record fee, he was once again fielded in his preferred central position. While the system and surrounding players at Real Madrid were taylor made for a player like Özil, the situation at Arsenal was not as clear cut. When runners like Theo Walcott and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain were fit, the German thrived, looking very much like the player who dominated La Liga defenses in past seasons. Due to untimely injuries however, Özil was often forced to play with creative midfielders such as Santi Cazorla and Jack Wilshere flanking him. This lead to a cluttered, often unbalanced midfield, with no one making runs for his trademark defense cutting passes. Özil’s best work throughout his career has come as a 10, but he’s proved that he needs the proper players surrounding him to reach his lofty standards from the center of the pitch.
While it initially looked like a failed experiment, Özil has recently appeared quite comfortable in his new left wing role. This in part, has largely been down to Özil adapting both his physique and playing style to his new position. Before the injury, he seemed quite restricted on the wing, being bullied off the ball and spending large parts of matches completely anonymous. Since returning against Stoke, he looks like a completely different player. For starters, the new and improved Özil has bulked up tremendously, adding muscle and size to his formerly slight frame. This enables him to battle against some of the Premier Leagues more physical defenders, holding up play until the perfect pass becomes available. In addition, his approach to the game seems to have varied during his spell on the sidelines. Previously he was a bona fide midfielder, who’s main priority was to create opportunities for his surrounding attackers. Now however, he’s beginning to display aspects of a forward himself, making runs behind the defense and looking to get on the scoresheet. His main role is still as a creative influence, but his all around game has become tremendously more well rounded as of late. While the prospect of such seemed frustrating at the first, a wide role could very well be a genuine long term option for the German.
Additionally, Özil playing on the left has a positive effect on a variety of his teammates. In order to accommodate the 4-2-3-1 formation, certain players were forced either out of position or to the bench. While the setup was taylor made for Özil, it came at the cost of restricting other important members of the squad. Key examples are Santi Cazorla and Jack Wilshere, who were unable to perform consistently outside of their preferred central perches. The newly implemented 4-1-4-1 changes everything. If Özil can adapt to a wide role, it would mean the reinstation of the previously mentioned two to a deeper central position, a move that suits both players perfectly. While previously a winger, Cazorla’s age means he’s most effective in the middle of the pitch, where he can dictate games with his skill and vision. In addition, Wilshere’s long term future with the club is under much less scrutiny with the adoption of the 4-1-4-1. In the old system, Wilshere’s Arsenal career hinged on him forging a solid and reliable partnership with fellow box to box midfielder Aaron Ramsey, a prospect that’s become increasingly unlikely in recent seasons. Now however, Wilshere and Ramsey can both fit into the side seamlessly, knowing full well that there’s a defensive midfielder covering their dynamic forward bursts behind them. While the number 10 role is ideal for a player of Özil’s qualities, evolving to a roaming wide midfielder would likely benefit the team as a whole. If he can manage to consistently perform in such a position, the effects could be career changing to numerous players in the side.
While Mesut Özil is widely known as one of the best number 10’s in the game, switching to a wide role could benefit both him and Arsenal tremendously. Whether it be adding to his own game or creating a lasting spot in the team for both Jack Wilshere and Santi Cazorla, the Özil wide experiment would reap tremendous benefits if successful. The signs are there that it just might work, with the German tallying some notably impressive performances from the left flank in recent weeks. He’s scored 3 goals and 2 assists in 5 games, and his elevated level of play has been evident for all to see. It may take time, but this role change for Mesut Özil could turn out to be another Arsene Wenger masterstroke.
