Klaus wrote:
Not in the space between midfield and forwards. That's where he got found out repeatedly in Europe and against the top teams in the league, which is why Wenger played him on the flank for five months before going into the market for a £42 million playmaker the following summer. It has nothing to do with Cazorla's ability to dribble, because technique is not just about manipulating the ball.
Di Maria is another technically excellent player who's not half as good when you put him in that space, which is what United have realised lately when van Gaal has experimented with him as a second striker.
Ozil is brilliant in that space, but that is down to his movement and ability to spot holes within the lines. That's what makes him such a great offensive AM, and exactly what makes him a defensive liability when the game is being lost elsewhere on the pitch.
Of course, he has the technique to manipulate the ball, as well, but I wouldn't say that's what separates him from Cazorla or Di Maria. He just great understanding of where he needs to be to create from that position. I think Fabregas is better than Ozil and Cazorla, but the German is a better AM than both, because his movement is exceptional from that position.
