Mesut Ozil is Arsenal’s superstar, declares Laurent Koscielny

Laurent Koscielny has come out in defence of Mesut Ozil, describing the playmaker as Arsenal’s “superstar” player this season.

Ozil was criticised for a below-par display in which he missed a penalty against Bayern Munich earlier this month and sat out out the Gunners’ Premier League win over Sunderland on Saturday.

Others feel less pressure than before his arrival and we have more confidence

Laurent Koscielny

But defender Koscielny feels that the Germany international’s arrival at the club last summer has been one of the main driving forces behind Arsenal’s improvement this season.

“You can choose to buy lots of new players for £100m plus or buy one,” Koscielny told Arsenal magazine.

“The boss decided he preferred quality to quantity. He bought Mesut Ozil and 10 minutes into his first game he gave an assist to Olivier Giroud at Sunderland.

“Maybe Mesut was not what people thought we were missing but he only needs one opportunity and he gives an assist. The difference is there and that’s why we’re more efficient in front of goal this season.

“He gave more freedom to other players, too. He is our superstar. Others feel less pressure than before his arrival and we have more confidence.”