Buoyant Wenger sings praises of ‘musician’ Oezil for always playing ‘the right note’
>> LONDON: Arsenal’s conductor-in-chief Mesut Oezil has been likened to a musician by manager Arsene Wenger, who says the midfielder’s sense of timing makes him a pleasure to watch.
Oezil has 12 assists in the Premier League so far this season, more than he managed in his two previous campaigns with the Gunners and twice as many as his nearest challengers — Gerard Deulofeu, Kevin De Bruyne, David Silva and Riyhad Mahrez.
“Mesut is like a musician who always plays the right note, and at the right moment,” Wenger told the club’s website (www.arsenal.com).
“His timing is perfect — when he has to give the ball, he gives the ball.
“It’s just a pleasure to see. It struck me [on first seeing him] that he was at such a young age, but the boy could time his passing always right. He got out of impossible situations.
“Also what struck me was that it was not forced on an individual basis — the team play was in front of his ego.
“That strikes you because normally when players are that talented, that’s not the first quality you see.”
At the other end of the pitch for Arsenal, Peter Cech has revealed how playing an instrument has helped him become a better goalkeeper.
Cech, who has kept six clean sheets this season, has taken up drumming in his spare time and says his new hobby is especially useful for a goalkeeper.
“There are so many things I learn on the drums that I can use in goalkeeping as well, because the handeye coordination and the independence on each of the limbs is helpful,” he said.
“It teaches you to use all four limbs in different ways. You need to find a way to co-ordinate things and, once you learn how to programme your brain to do that, it helps you to coordinate even for football.”
Meanwhile, Arsenal striker Danny Welbeck has said he has learned a lot about how to look after his body during the “difficult” spell on the sidelines following a knee surgery in September.
The England international, who is expected to return in the New Year after failing to feature for the club this season, is yet to make his mark at the Gunners following his arrival from Manchester United in September 2014, scoring four Premier League goals in 27 appearances.
“It is my first injury that has kept me out for so long. I had my operation and once that is sorted you can be out for a few more months,” Welbeck said.
“For the first month, in a leg brace, not being able to do anything, on a machine six hours a day, it was very difficult. But you have to try and see the positives.
“It is hard but you have to see the positive side and I have learned a lot more being injured on how to look after your body and prevent injuries.
“I have to see the positive side and hopefully when I come back, I will be flying.”