Mesut Ozil has singled out Emile Smith Rowe for praise over the three-game winning streak that Arsenal have been enjoying since they stunned Chelsea 3-1 on December 26, 2020.
Before the shocking victory over Chelsea, Arsenal were on their way down the Premier League table, sitting comfortably on the 15th spot. They got such a poor ranking thanks to their woeful start to the season where they recorded just 4 wins in 14 league games.
The season was so terrible for Arsenal that they only managed to score 12 goals in their first 14 games which forced some fans of the club to start asking for the sack of Mikel Arteta. Fortunately for the Spanish coach, he has been able to find a way to turn things around for the club by recording three straight victories in their last three games, scoring 8 goals.
On Saturday, January 2, 2021, Arsenal visited the Hawthorns stadium to play West Brom and the world saw a more rejuvenated Arsenal’s team that went riot against their host.
Arsenal enjoyed 62% of the possession and started scoring against their host as early as the 23rd minute. Arsenal went on to score three more goals to end the match 4-0.
Alexandre Lacazette scored two goals in the match to bring his goals tally to 5 in 4 league games, Bukayo Saka scored his third goal, while Kieran Tierney scored a beautiful solo goal which set the tone for the other three goals.
Despite the performance of the goalscorers, Mesut Ozil believes that Emile Smith Rowe was the secret of Arsenal’s success against West Brom. Though he hailed other players in the revolving Arsenal’s squad, he said Emile Smith Rowe was the difference-maker.
“Nice game my boys! Great spirit – 3 wins in a row. The team looks good with a No10 like Emile Smith Rowe – the difference maker”, Mesut Ozil tweeted after Arsenal’s 4-0 win over West Brom on Saturday.
Nice game my boys! 🔥 Great spirit – 3 wins in a row ❤️👏🏼 Team looks good with a No10 like Emile Smith Rowe – the difference maker 💪🏼 #YaGunnersYa #COYG #WBAARS @Arsenal
— Mesut Özil (@MesutOzil1088) January 2, 2021
The 20-year-old English center-midfielder had his first opportunity of playing for Arsenal in the Premier League this season on December 26 and in just three league appearances, Emile Smith Rowe has made a huge impact.
The youngster gave a man of the match performance against West Brom on Saturday and has recorded two assists so far this season in just three league games.
One of the moves he made during yesterday’s match which football fans could not stop talking about was the move that led to Arsenal’s second goal. He made quick touches from the center of the field and continued with the movement into West Brom’s box-eighteen before he assisted Saka to score in the 28th minute.
Since Emile Smith Rowe made that move, he has been compared to Ozil and it is believed that the 20-year-old midfielder could be the Ozil Arsenal needed to use since the commencement of the 2020-2021 season.
Look at Emile Smith Rowe’s movement.
— Ebuka Means Great (@EbukaMeansGreat) January 2, 2021
Reminds you of someone @MesutOzil1088?😉
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