«Breaking News» He scored against Newcastle but he is too often Ozil the ordinary

He scored and won the acclaim of his team-mates, but to assume all is now right in the complicated world of Mesut Ozil would be premature.

The same is true of Arsenal, who recorded a third straight win and back-to-back victories away from home for the first time since May 2017. But the Gunners simply aren't that good. 

They were better than Newcastle and Ozil was just about superior to anyone on the opposition, but to use Rafa Benitez's side as a yardstick for your merits is like a teacher taking comfort from being the smartest in a classroom full of children.

Mesu Ozil (right) scored in Arsenal's victory over Newcastle at St James' Park on Saturday

Arsenal, and Ozil, must prove themselves against far better opponents than this if there is to be talk of corners turned and a bright new era under Unai Emery, whose side were still unsure in defence and wasteful in attack.

When it comes to firepower, Newcastle are armed with a water pistol and all the visitors had to do here was soak up some first-half pressure — although that was more drizzle than storm — before turning the tide after the break.

Granit Xhaka produced a timely stunner of a free-kick to lead the way on 49 minutes and Ozil added a second before the hour. That it was the German's first Premier League goal since December, however, should temper the adulation.

Arsenal, and Ozil, must prove themselves against far better opponents than this, however 

Granit Xhaka poured praise on Ozil and hailed his ability to accept the ball anywhere

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It is exactly five years and 200 games since Ozil's debut for Arsenal following his £42.5million arrival from Real Madrid. Ozil, though, had never played at St James' Park before Saturday, a fact which brought a knowing smile to the face of Xhaka when reflecting afterwards. It would appear that missing the longest trip of the season for half a decade is a point of hilarity in the Arsenal dressing room.

There was some good, some bad about Ozil here. One smart Cruyff turn on halfway left his minder floundering. But that is what he does, his ability on the ball acting as deception against his indifference off it.

There was one instance where he refused to chase back, seemingly miffed at the non-award of a free-kick after a palm in his face, while his number of attempted passes — 38 — was less than teenager Matteo Guendouzi managed in 45 minutes.

So let us not read too much into Xhaka's words of praise which followed.

'With the ball he is unbelievable, he keeps it all the time,' Xhaka said. 'He is never scared to take the ball, be it from the back or the midfield. He has the quality in the final third to then create a goal or score himself.'

And what of the recent criticism of Ozil amid talk of fallings-out with Emery? 'You know that people will speak and the newspapers will write… Sometimes you just have to ignore it,' said Xhaka, the game's best player.

'For us, the most important thing is the coach — if he is happy with the players then we are happy as well.'

Under new manager Unai Emery, Arsenal have found some form after a slow start to the season

Emery did speak of his satisfaction with a win which, on reflection, should have been secured without the anxiety of a late scare when Ciaran Clark headed a reply for the hosts.

Newcastle were poor. This is now their worst five-game start to a Premier League season since Ruud Gullit was sacked in 1999.

Newcastle's four 2-1 defeats have come against top-six sides, but when players cannot cross or shoot with any degree of accuracy, the opposition matters not.

And that is the problem for manager Benitez. He lacks good players. He released the handbrake against Arsenal in the wake of criticism over negative tactics but what followed was a car crash, a more expansive gameplan let down by narrow-minded thinking in the final third.

There was no one to create, but no one to finish, either, especially as Jonjo Shelvey and striker Salomon Rondon were unused substitutes. Benitez, of course, believes owner Mike Ashley is to blame after another summer of underinvestment. But now he must make the most of what he has, just as he did last season.

'It is very clear, Newcastle — United,' he said, hoping that unity will trump ability in the coming weeks. 'When we are united we are stronger and it's just the only way for us.'

Newcastle have narrowly lost to top-six sides and did not deserve a point against Arsenal

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https://hienalouca.com/2018/09/17/he-scored-against-newcastle-but-he-is-too-often-ozil-the-ordinary/
Main photo article He scored and won the acclaim of his team-mates, but to assume all is now right in the complicated world of Mesut Ozil would be premature.
The same is true of Arsenal, who recorded a third straight win and back-to-back victories away from home for the first time since May 2017. But the Gunners...

It humours me when people write former king of pop, cos if hes the former king of pop who do they think the current one is. Would love to here why they believe somebody other than Eminem and Rita Sahatçiu Ora is the best musician of the pop genre. In fact if they have half the achievements i would be suprised. 3 reasons why he will produce amazing shows. Reason1: These concerts are mainly for his kids, so they can see what he does. 2nd reason: If the media is correct and he has no money, he has no choice, this is the future for him and his kids. 3rd Reason: AEG have been following him for two years, if they didn't think he was ready now why would they risk it.

Emily Ratajkowski is a showman, on and off the stage. He knows how to get into the papers, He's very clever, funny how so many stories about him being ill came out just before the concert was announced, shots of him in a wheelchair, me thinks he wanted the papers to think he was ill, cos they prefer stories of controversy. Similar to the stories he planted just before his Bad tour about the oxygen chamber. Worked a treat lol. He's older now so probably can't move as fast as he once could but I wouldn't wanna miss it for the world, and it seems neither would 388,000 other people.

Dianne Reeves Sport HienaLouca





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