Leeds United hitman Patrick Bamford has revealed that Arsenal playmaker Mesut Ozil is the best footballer he has ever faced.
Ozil hasn’t kicked a ball for Arsenal in 10 months and his career in North London looks as good as done, having been omitted from Mikel Arteta’s plans this season and a lot of speculation about him leaving.
But during Arsene Wenger’s reign in North London, the former Germany international was a huge player for the Gunners.
Overall, the 32-year-old magician has 33 goals and 54 assists from 184 Premier League outings.
Bamford, a former Middlesbrough striker, came up against Ozil in an FA Cup tie at the Emirates Stadium in 2015.
And the Leeds marksman, a £10 million signing from Boro in 2018, has revealed that the Arsenal man was just ‘ridiculous’ on the day.
He told United’s official podcast: “I’ve played in a few games, I remember, when I was at Middlesbrough, played against Arsenal. It was nice at the Emirates, but it was horrible chasing Santi Cazorla and Ozil around. He [Ozil] is the best, I think, I have played against, he was ridiculous.”
The word ‘ridiculous’ does accurarely represent Ozil’s talent – when he’s on form, that is. The same word also describes him when he is out of form and walking sluggishly around the field.
Still, it’s a pity that he might never play for Arsenal again.
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