Arsenal somehow managed to rescue a point at Old Trafford, Olivier Giroud heading in with just a couple of minutes of normal time to go. The Gunners were far from their best at Arsene Wenger and Jose Mourinho rekindled their old rivalry, but the spoils were shared in a game of few chances in Manchester.
Mourinho was left fuming as United’s penalty claims were correctly waved away in the first half by Andre Marriner, but the United manager saw his team take the lead midway through the second half, Juan Mata coming up with the goods once again.
United looked to sit back with just under ten minutes to go, and this horribly backfired as Arsene Wenger’s substitutes combined to fire Arsenal level. Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain beat his man down the right and picked out Giroud in the box, who nodded the ball home at the back post.
However, one player to disappear in a big game yet again with Arsenal’s Mesut Ozil. He has shown his quality throughout the season, but was little more than a passenger here for Arsene Wenger’s side.
The German creator didn’t have a single shot in the ninety minutes, and he didn’t create a single chance either. In addition to this, Ozil produced just two crosses and completed just three take-ons.
Fans were quick to criticise the German on social media, who has put in a string of poor performances in the big games. Here is how they reacted.
Ozil ain’t a big game player. Never seen him once have a good game in a big game
— Kieran (@CaneKieran) 19 November 2016
I forgot ozil was playing 😂
— Rahim. (@ChampagneRari) 19 November 2016
Ozil’s a let-down. Consistently in big games, he disappears for large parts of them. He’s been anonymous.#MUFCvAFC #AFC
— D. Davidson-Amadi (@TheSplinterCell) 19 November 2016
Ozil just sitting on floor after being tackled just shows his attitude. Complete opposite to Sanchez running his socks off
— s h a c k✌️ (@shackk) 19 November 2016
Ozil never shows up in these games. Never.
— Bradley (@bradleymyers95) 19 November 2016
Anyone seen Mesut Ozil today? Me neither.
— Pixel Pirate (@Captain_Eyeball) 19 November 2016
Starting to think whether there is a point playing Ozil in big games away from home 🤔 #MUFCvAFC
— Dee (@dmercurialone) 19 November 2016
Ozil’s worst game as a professional footballer
— Ore S.O (@McBoolin) 19 November 2016
On his day, Ozil can be one of the best attacking midfielders in the Premier League. He showed his class against Ludogorets and some of the weaker oposition in the Premier League. However, Arsenal were missing that creative spark today at Old Trafford, and Ozil needs to step up in the future in the big games.