Shkodran Mustafi: When Mesut Ozil gets the ball in the final third, you can be sure he is going to score

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James Benge21 October 2016

Mesut Ozil’s goalscoring run is no surprise to his Arsenal team-mate Shkodran Mustafi, who is convinced his compatriot can score if he has the ball in the danger area.

The German international scored the first hat-trick of his career in Wednesday’s 6-0 Champions League win over Ludogorets, taking his season tally to six. That figure is just two short of his best return in an Arsenal shirt in the 2015-16 season.

Mustafi revealed after the win that he sometimes has to “criticise” Ozil in training to ensure the playmaker reaches his prodigious heights and his fellow German international is well aware of just how good Arsenal’s record-signing can be.

“We all know [Ozil] has qualities and can make things happen in the final third,” Mustafi told reporters.

“He has quality on the ball, he sees runners. If you give him the ball in the final third in front of the keeper, you can be sure he is going to score.”

Despite Ozil’s growing impact in front of goal the 28-year-old has faced criticism from some pundits who have questioned whether he contributes in the biggest matches.

In Pictures | Arsenal vs Ludogorets | 19/10/2016

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That comes despite an improved run of goalscoring the past year seeing him find the net against the likes of Chelsea, Manchester United and Bayern Munich.

Mustafi said: “Is he under-appreciated? Sometimes I have to criticise him as well, because sometimes that’s how football is. He’s a fantastic player, he helps us a lot.

“He has all the qualities to score. If you find him in the final third with a ball on his left foot there’s always a danger.”

Arsene Wenger was also among those impressed with the new-found goalscoring output having long been critical of the midfielder’s limited contribution on the scoresheet. The Arsenal manager said Ozil “had the taste of scoring goals”.

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