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Hailed as the man who would transform the Gunners’ season, who would catapult the club from also-rans to trophy winners.

And there is no question that the German delivered in those glorious early days as he netted three goals in his first seven games and brought a new meaning to the term “assist,” setting up goal after goal as Arsenal shot to the top of the table.

 

A sparkling performance and a crucial goal against Napoli in the Champions League in October put Arsenal on the right track in Europe, and he then struck two in a sumptuous win against Norwich.

The former Real Madrid man delighted with his sublime touch, his ability to see the killer pass, and eye for goal. Suddenly though, the £42?million man had hit a trough.

Not a desperate one by his lofty standards, but still, there were games when he was peripheral.

So much so that seasoned Arsenal watchers were hinting that last night, in another crucial Champions League hurdle for Arsene Wenger’s side, the German international needed a big game.

Wenger had stressed before the clash with Group F whipping boys Marseille that the 25-year-old had not had much time to prepare for the English game, that there was plenty of room for improvement.

The Arsenal manager suggested that perhaps Ozil was feeling the pressure a bit after such an explosive start. Fortunately for Ozil, the Gunners machine has kept on firing, with Aaron Ramsey, still in the midst of his remarkable resurgence, almost single-handedly driving the team along.