Former Arsenal star Mesut Ozil was a world-class player at his best, but also had critics during his time in North London.
Ozil arrived as one of the biggest signings in Arsenal’s history, as a then-club record transfer from Real Madrid, as one of the best players in the world.
His first season saw him help Arsene Wenger end a nine-year trophy drought with the FA Cup, and his signing lifted the whole mood around the club.
Injuries and criticism followed him for a year before he had his best season in 2015-16, notching up an incredible 19 Premier League assists as Arsenal fell just short of the title.
Ozil was a constant scapegoat whenever Arsenal would drop points, with his languid style and body language a target for critics who would claim that he wasn’t offering enough off the ball.
However, Micah Richards has now pointed out that the German would have shone in an even better side.
Micah Richards defends Mesut Ozil from Arsenal criticism
Speaking to BBC Sport, Richards highlighted how Arsenal did not have the team to fully get the best out of Ozil’s world-class creative abilities.
“Ozil, he was a magician. If he was in Manchester City’s side…At Real Madrid he was breathtaking,” Richards stated.
Gary Lineker then pointed out that Ozil did play in some strong sides at Arsenal under a top manager.
“He was playing for Wenger. At times he (Ozil) was brilliant for Arsenal,” Lineker replied.
“At the end of Wenger’s reign when things started to go worse overall,” Richards highlighted in response.
Did Arsenal let Mesut Ozil down?
Ozil still holds the record for most chances created in a Premier League season, with his 146 in the 2015-16 season miles ahead of anything anyone else has managed.
By joining Arsenal, Ozil went from playing in an attack with Cristiano Ronaldo and Karim Benzema, to one with inferior outlets to find in space.
Ozil even started a Champions League knockout tie playing behind Yaya Sanogo as a striker, and the chances he created went to waste.
Manchester City playmakers David Silva and Kevin de Bruyne would create less than Ozil in his prime, but with strikers such as Sergio Aguero and now Erling Haaland to finish off the opportunities, it was easier for their performances to stand out.
Although things did not end well at Arsenal for Ozil under Mikel Arteta and Unai Emery, there was no doubt that he was one of the best attacking midfielders of his generation, and he would have likely escaped criticism with his same level of performances, but with fiercer legs in midfield behind him and more clinical forwards ahead of him.