Mesut Ozil left the Emirates pitch to a standing ovation on Saturday and it wasn’t just the fans who were singing his praises, with Gary Neville and Thierry Henry hailing the midfielder’s performance against Tottenham.
Ozil put in a man-of-the-match display to help Arsenal deservedly beat Spurs 2-0 in the day’s early kick-off, and move to within one point of their north London rivals.
The German midfielder has been heavily criticised this season, with his efforts off the ball a talking point, and he has been linked with a move away from the club when his contract expires in the summer.
Mesut Ozil looked back to his best and received a standing ovation for his performance
Thierry Henry believes Ozil has to be more consistent following an underwhelming season
However, the former Real Madrid playmaker reminded his critics of his undoubted quality — and Neville was impressed with his ‘fantastic’ performance’.
Speaking during the match, he told Sky Sports: ‘There must be two Mesut Ozils because there was a different one today to what I have been watching recently.
‘He has been fantastic today. He has set himself a standard today in which he has played, worked and applied himself.’
Fellow Sky Sports pundit Henry agreed with Neville, but believes he has to be more consistent following an underwhelming start to the season.
Henry added: ‘The desire of the Arsenal squad is second to none today. But Mesut Ozil has been amazing.
‘I’m not talking about when he has been on the ball but off the ball. What he has been doing, helping the back three at one point and then five seconds after nearly being on a one vs one situation with Hugo Lloris.
Graeme Souness was critical of Ozil’s lethargic performances this season – but praised him too
The Sky Sports pundits were discussing Ozil’s performance following the win over Tottenham
‘Helping the midfield, working hard. I agree with Gary, that has to be every single game. Not only a game he is expected to turn up to again Tottenham. That has to be all the time.’
Another pundit, Graeme Souness, echoed the thoughts of the pair. However, the Liverpool icon was also critical of Ozil’s lethargic performances this season.
He added: ‘Ozil was fabulous today. You cannot criticise his quality when he’s on the ball. He’s up there with anyone you want to name. He sees a picture and he can deliver what he sees.
‘Where the criticism arrives is when they don’t have the ball. He’s lethargic and doesn’t sprint to get back into position or close people down. When it isn’t going well for Arsenal, that jumps out at you.
Ozil put in a man-of-the-match display to help Arsenal deservedly beat Spurs 2-0
Alexis Sanchez scored Arsenal’s second goal to ensure victory over arch rivals Tottenham
‘You will not find a team in modern football and maybe long before we ever kicked the ball, that has been successful at the highest level if they don’t have 10 outfield players who don’t work hard when they don’t have the ball.
‘Ozil has to grasp that. He is at an age where he should fully understand it — they should play that video every time they come in to training this week. This is what they have to do every week.
‘Next time out they are playing at Burnley at Turf Moor. What type of Arsenal is going to turn up? There is still a lingering question — what Arsenal turn up?’
The German midfielder celebrates with Sanchez, who also impressed at the Emirates