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Mesut Ozil says he enjoyed playing in an unfamiliar holding midfield role for Germany but the Arsenal midfielder still prefers his regular position as playmaker for club and country. Ozil, 27, played in a deeper role in Tuesday's friendly against Italy in Munich, which Germany won 4-1 despite the world champions taking the field in an unusual formation. Germany coach Joachim Low played a back three, which turned into a back line of five when the team did not have the ball, with Toni Kroos and Ozil sitting further back to counteract the anticipated pressing game of Antonio Conte's side. "I enjoyed playing as a 'sixer,'" the Arsenal midfielder told kicker. "It's a touch easier in that position because you have more time than as playmaker, where you always have two or three opponents around you." When Germany lost 3-2 to England three days earlier in Berlin, Ozil played in a more traditional role in a 4-2-3-1 formation and had 40 touches of the ball fewer than Kroos. On Tuesday, both men were the only players on the field to touch the ball more than 100 times. "As a 'sixer' you do have more touches to the ball than usual," Ozil said. "And I believe that I've done a good job and also showed what I can do. That's why I am delighted." But when asked whether this might be a permanent role for him, the former Real Madrid player said that was up to Low. "You'd have to ask him, he calls the shots," Ozil said. "I have played on that position for Real Madrid a couple of times, and I have now also shown I can play there. But my position definitely is at No. 10." Ozil has thrived for Arsenal in his playmaker role this season. He has had his hand in 23 goals for the Gunners in 28 Premier League matches this term, setting up 18 and scoring five.
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