11. The first goal
Where better to start than the beginning? The German’s first Arsenal goal caught him at his gliding and effortless best, Özil applying the finishing touch to a flowing team move. Napoli goalkeeper Pepe Reina was left to clutch at thin air as the playmaker's cushioned effort found the back of the net.
10. Look away now
Özil's subtle style means his tricks and flicks can sometimes go undetected in real time. That's what happened when he executed this no-look pass against Chelsea in September, with barely anybody registering what he'd actually done at first glance. Thankfully, a few keen-eyed observers did capture the insouciant flick and repackaged it for our enjoyment.
9. Assist king
There's no one better at setting up goals in the Premier League than Özil. This impudent, first-time flick for Olivier Giroud in a meeting with Aston Villa in February 2015 deserves a special place in his personal hall of fame.
8. #PlayÖzilAt10
For a brief period at the start of the 2014/15 campaign, Arsene Wenger moved Özil to the left wing as he sought to accommodate Jack Wilshere, Aaron Ramsey, Santi Cazorla and the former Real Madrid man in the same line-up. The move proved unpopular with Arsenal fans, who created the #PlayÖzilAt10 hashtag in protest. When their wish was granted, the Gunners' central attacking midfielder opened the scoring at Villa Park and provided an assist for Danny Welbeck in a 3-0 triumph. The left-wing experiment was seldom repeated.
7. Mesut the Matador
Özil scored with a free-kick during Arsenal’s 4-1 defeat of Liverpool in April 2015, but it was his barely-perceivable dummy that best summed up his genius. The World Cup winner waved his left foot at a moving ball, tempting Philippe Coutinho into a full-blooded slide tackle, before checking his movement at the last moment and leaving the Brazilian trailing in his wake.
Watch from 01:39
6. Swans slayer
The partnership between Alexis Sanchez and Özil is Arsenal’s most potent attacking combination at present, with the Chilean assuming the role of provider in the recent victory over Swansea. Sanchez's delicate lofted ball into the penalty area found Özil, who unleashed an unstoppable rising volley into the roof of the net.
5. Flicks of the trade
None of Özil's many flicks and tricks stirred the loins of Arsenal fans more than this balletic, mid-air backheel against Hull last year. Aaron Ramsey's attempted crossfield pass to Sanchez was underhit so Özil halted his run, stuck his standing leg out behind him and guided the ball into the Chile international's path with a delicate swoosh of his heel.
4. To me, to you
With a 2-0 lead behind them, Arsene Wenger was probably content for his side to simply keep the ball as half-time approached in September's London derby with Chelsea. Özil had other ideas, however: receiving a pass from Laurent Koscileny deep inside his own half, the German deceived N'Golo Kante with a magnificent dummy and raced into the Blues' half. After exchanging passes with Sanchez, Özil volleyed the ball into the ground and past the stranded Thibaut Courtois to give the hosts a 3-0 lead at the interval.
3. Bayern's bête noire
The ex-Werder Bremen schemer is renowned more for his creativity than his goalscoring, but Bayern Munich have borne witness to Özil’s feats of finishing more than any other club. In a Champions League clash last October, Hector Bellerin's jet-fuelled foray down the right led to him picking out Özil, who guided the ball past Manuel Neuer to seal a famous victory.
2. Ja Gunners, ja!
Özil won silverware in his debut season in north London, with Arsenal beating Hull 3-2 in the 2014 FA Cup Final. Özil's excitement after the final whistle was captured by a cameraman, his celebration sounding as if it emanated from the set of a 1970s German porno flick. Or so we're told...
1. That goal in Bulgaria
With Arsenal drawing 2-2 with Ludogorets in the closing minutes of this month's Champions League encounter, Özil was sent scampering through on goal by Mohamed Elneny. Most players would have panicked and hit an early shot as goalkeeper Milan Borjan advanced from his area, but the Gunners star stayed calm and flicked the ball deftly over his head.
Two Ludogorets defenders came rushing back to try to block the German's upcoming shot, but Özil opts to take another touch before pulling the trigger, leaving both opponents for dead as he nonchalantly skips past them. Just to make sure he has the best angle possible, he steadies himself before finally sliding the ball home and sending the visiting – and disbelieving – Arsenal fans into raptures.
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