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Welcome to ESPN FC's #PremRank.
ESPN FC is counting down the top 50 players in the Premier League right now, as voted for by various columnists, editors and analysts. Who makes the cut? Disagree with our list? Tell us on Twitter using the hashtag #PremRank.
Why Mesut Ozil makes the list
He's such a distinctive player, but Mesut Ozil has also entered a distinctive debate. The 26 year old's much-discussed form has meant his performance levels have become both overrated and underrated, something usually only experienced by a handful of players. Then again, such discussions usually arise because of rare levels of hype, which undeniably accompanied his 2013 signing because of all of it represented for Arsenal. After that, it went something like this: his fine initial contributions were first inevitably over-praised, leading to unfair criticism when he dipped around the time of the Bayern Munich defeat in 2013-14, in turn leading to undue defensiveness about him.
The reality, as ever, is somewhere in between. Ozil probably hasn't made the absolute best of his sensational talent while at Arsenal, and it is fair to expect a bit more than a rate of one goal or assist every two games, but he has still been a hugely effective player who often performs above the level of most of his teammates and the majority of the Premier League. The supreme display in the 4-1 win over Liverpool might also be a sign that he will come into prime. That would be fitting, given the same is so often said of his team, but he is crucial to the fluidity when Arsenal are at their best.
-- Miguel Delaney
The stats that tell the story
- Had a chance created (a pass that leads to a shot) every 28 minutes this season, the best rate in the Premier League.
- Led the league with 32 passes completed in the attacking third per 90 minutes this season.
What the experts say
"This was perfectly illustrated by Arsenal's opening goal on Saturday. Mesut Ozil picked the ball up in space, spotted the run of Alexis Sanchez and played the most perfectly weighted pass over a cluster of defenders. The Chilean still had some work to do, but the pass speaks of a growing relationship between the club's two most expensive players." -- Andrew Mangan, April 2015.
"Ozil pulled the strings. He continually combined nicely with Ramsey, who played an energetic role in charging forward from a right-of-centre midfield position. Ozil's link play with the Welshman was reminiscent of the way he regularly combined effectively with Sami Khedira for both Germany and Real Madrid." -- Michael Cox, March 2015.
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