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Mesut Ozil is seriously missing this Arsenal star - Ray Parlour
MESUT OZIL has been below par in the big games of late, because he is missing Santi Cazorla.
Mesut Ozil - 5 things you need to know
Those are the thoughts of former Arsenal star-turned-pundit Ray Parlour.
Arsenal lost two games in the space of a week when they went slumped to a 2-1 defeat away to Manchester City.
Ozil was largely an anonymous figure as City came from behind to clinch all three points.
Mesut Ozil underperformed in Arsenal's defeat against Manchester City
Ray Parlour thinks Mesut Ozil has struggled to impose himself in the big games recently
He relies on people controlling midfield - Cazorla is very good - he can link up a bit better with Ozil
And Parlour thinks Ozil desperately misses Santi Cazorla, who will be out of action for a further three months after undergoing an ankle operation.
"Sometimes when Arsenal aren't playing well, they aren't getting as much possession as they would like,” Parlour said.
"He thrives on possession and passing the ball on a regular basis.
"When he went missing in the second-half, City had most of the possession and were dictating the game.
Santi Cazorla is sidelined with an ankle injury for Arsenal
He relies on people controlling midfield - Cazorla is very good - he can link up a bit better with Ozil
“Ozil is not a player who will run back into midfield and make a tackle or try and get back on the ball.
"He relies on people controlling midfield - Cazorla is very good - he dictates possession and he can link up a bit better with Ozil.”
Arsenal are currently nine points adrift of table toppers Chelsea in fourth spot.
Watch Ray Parlour take on the Ladbrokes Festive Feast at www.news.Ladbrokes.com and @Ladbrokes
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