So much expectation on his shoulders. Hope he has the strength to withstand the pressure.
Mesut Özil on overdrive can be Arsenal's new Dennis Bergkamp
Arséne Wenger acknowledges that his side’s title bid has, in no small part, been down to the player who does the damage and is making the difference
Perceptions about Özil have been revised over the past year. Where his languid body language made critics carp, now it represents clever, elusive movement. Where opposing defenders sought to rough him up and squeeze him out of the game, now they know he is strong enough to handle it and slice them open. Where fans doubted he would be the protagonist in the biggest challenges, now they expect him to wave his wand.
Arsène Wenger, grateful to welcome Özil back into his team after skipping two out of the last three games (he took a breather for the FA Cup third round and rested his sore toe for last weekend’s trip to Stoke) gave an interesting insight into how the 27-year-old has become an unexpected leader in his own way at Arsenal. He will never be a shouty commander but on the pitch he is a technical leader and off it emits the kind of presence that ensures when he talks, everyone listens.
“He’s not an extrovert, as you know,” says Wenger, “but he’s demanding from his partners.” That description applied to Dennis Bergkamp, and the comparison made Wenger’s eyes light up. Bergkamp was a huge figure in the dressing room in his time. He could be an introvert but was also funny, sharp, observant, and spoke with piercing accuracy. “Yes, Özil is a bit like that,” adds Wenger. “He is not that guy who stands up and speaks too much but every time he says something it is just straight to the point.” The manager snaps his fingers for emphasis.
Going back to Bergkamp, there is the story of Tony Adams feeling a compulsion to say a few strong words to the Dutchman when he saw him sitting quietly on the team bus after an FA Cup fourth-round match at Middlesbrough in January 1998. “You’ve been here two and a half years now, Dennis, isn’t it about time you won something?” Adams asked. “It would be a shame not to, with your ability.”
Come the summer of 1998, Bergkamp had inspired Arsenaltowards the double and was voted Footballer of the Year. Adams’ point was that he wanted to push Bergkamp, to elevate his performances so that they had substance as well as style. Do the damage. Make the difference.
Continue reading here:
http://www.theguardian.com/football...rsenal-Arsène-wenger-premier-league-title-bid
Mesut Özil on overdrive can be Arsenal's new Dennis Bergkamp
Arséne Wenger acknowledges that his side’s title bid has, in no small part, been down to the player who does the damage and is making the difference
Perceptions about Özil have been revised over the past year. Where his languid body language made critics carp, now it represents clever, elusive movement. Where opposing defenders sought to rough him up and squeeze him out of the game, now they know he is strong enough to handle it and slice them open. Where fans doubted he would be the protagonist in the biggest challenges, now they expect him to wave his wand.
Arsène Wenger, grateful to welcome Özil back into his team after skipping two out of the last three games (he took a breather for the FA Cup third round and rested his sore toe for last weekend’s trip to Stoke) gave an interesting insight into how the 27-year-old has become an unexpected leader in his own way at Arsenal. He will never be a shouty commander but on the pitch he is a technical leader and off it emits the kind of presence that ensures when he talks, everyone listens.
“He’s not an extrovert, as you know,” says Wenger, “but he’s demanding from his partners.” That description applied to Dennis Bergkamp, and the comparison made Wenger’s eyes light up. Bergkamp was a huge figure in the dressing room in his time. He could be an introvert but was also funny, sharp, observant, and spoke with piercing accuracy. “Yes, Özil is a bit like that,” adds Wenger. “He is not that guy who stands up and speaks too much but every time he says something it is just straight to the point.” The manager snaps his fingers for emphasis.
Going back to Bergkamp, there is the story of Tony Adams feeling a compulsion to say a few strong words to the Dutchman when he saw him sitting quietly on the team bus after an FA Cup fourth-round match at Middlesbrough in January 1998. “You’ve been here two and a half years now, Dennis, isn’t it about time you won something?” Adams asked. “It would be a shame not to, with your ability.”
Come the summer of 1998, Bergkamp had inspired Arsenaltowards the double and was voted Footballer of the Year. Adams’ point was that he wanted to push Bergkamp, to elevate his performances so that they had substance as well as style. Do the damage. Make the difference.
Continue reading here:
http://www.theguardian.com/football...rsenal-Arsène-wenger-premier-league-title-bid
and seems slower to release the ball. Tried too much at times to take on 2-3 Chelsea players and got outmuscled. 
