Arsenal star Mesut Ozil won the ball back 10 times at the KC Stadium.
German international Mesut Ozil has often been criticised for the way he has adapted to the Premier League.
He has in recent months shown a real improvement, playing a key role in Arsenal’s unbeaten run, and is chipping in from a defensive perspective too.
The 3-1 win against Hull City at the KC Stadium on Monday night was further evidence of this. Ozil won the ball back for his team 10 times – more than he has done in any Premier League game this season.
| Match | Ball Recoveries | |
|---|---|---|
| Mesut Özil | Hull City vs Arsenal | 10 |
| Mesut Özil | Burnley vs Arsenal | 9 |
| Mesut Özil | QPR vs Arsenal | 8 |
| Mesut Özil | C. Palace vs Arsenal | 7 |
| Mesut Özil | Arsenal vs Chelsea | 7 |
He was one of three players to make 10 ball recoveries, against Hull, above defensive midfielder Francis Coquelin who made eight.
| Match | Ball Recoveries | |
|---|---|---|
| Santiago Cazorla | Hull City vs Arsenal | 10 |
| Laurent Koscielny | Hull City vs Arsenal | 10 |
| Mesut Özil | Hull City vs Arsenal | 10 |
| Francis Coquelin | Hull City vs Arsenal | 8 |
As Arsenal’s record signing expectations on Ozil are higher. He touched the ball 102 times against Hull, and completed 90 per cent of his passes. Yet this has even become a bit of a given now such are the standards he has set himself.
Fans will not want to see him change his game or lose his attacking and creative prowess, but if he can continue to adapt and evolve his game to suit the Premier League in order to assist the team, then the overall assessment of his performances will further cast him in a positive light.
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