Michael Owen selects Arsenal’s four key players: No Ozil

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BT pundit Michael Owen’s lack of faith in Mesut Ozil reared it’s head in another recent interview.

It’s no secret Michael Owen is no backer of Mesut Ozil, and he stubbornly refuses to give him any praise.

Speaking in a recent Telegraph round-table interview, the former England striker names the four players he believes key to Arsenal’s success, and Ozil was not one of them.

One of the four, Aaron Ramsey, is unavailable for the Gunners’ Champions League match with Bayern through injury.

Owen stated: “Wenger has a knack of developing good players. People were shouting for Giroud, Mertesacker, Ramsey and Szczseny to be axed last season, and they all took dog’s abuse, but Wenger trusted them and they are probably the four most influential Arsenal players this season.”

There is no denying the foursome have been important this season, but to describe Giroud as more influential may be pushing it.

In fact it could be argued Giroud is dependent on Ozil’s supply lines for his success. Statistics show the Frenchman has missed more clear cut opportunities than any other Premier League player.

Despite his recent lapse in form, and criticism in terms of ‘big game’ performances, Ozil is one off the top of the league in assists, and has attempted the equal highest number of any performer in the league.

Looking at Arsenal’s season as a whole, and the overall impact the former Real Madrid man had on the club upon arrival, in terms of the inspiration he provided, it’s a tad unfair to leave him off the list of Arsenal’s most influential players this season, yet bearing in mind Michael Owen’s consistent criticism of him, it’s not a surprise.

image: © Ronnie Macdonald