Özil equal with Messi for assists in Europe! [Stats]

Arsenal have officially signed Mesut Ozil for a club record fee believed to be €50 (£42.5m) and will wear the number 11 shirt left vacant by Andre Santos.
The German international is a superstar midfielder who will bolster Wenger’s attacking options despite the lack of a new striker coming in before the transfer window slammed shut.
The most exciting statistic is the amount of assists Özil has made since his move to Real Madrid (August 2010). He is equal with currently the worlds best player Lionel Messi in europe’s top 5 leagues.

Here is the quality that makes up the top four including our very own Özil:

• Ozil – 47
• Messi – 47
• Ribery – 38
• Ronaldo – 37

Having the likes of Ronaldo, Higuain and Benzema ahead of him, it is hardly surprising the midfield maestro is high up there but to be at the top alongside Messi is a exceptional and bodes well for his future as Arsenal’s main creative force through the middle.
We’ve also had a quick look at some of Ozil’s statistics from the last campaign and compared them to our most fruitful attacking midfielder last season – Santi Cazorla.

Ozil 2012/13 stats

Appearances: 23 (9)
Total Goals: 9
Total Assists: 13
Pass Accuracy: 85.1%
Key Passes Per game: 2.9
Accurate Through Balls: 17

Santi Cazorla 2012/13 Stats

Appearances 37 (1)
Goals: 12
Assists: 11
Pass Accuracy: 86.8%
Key Passes Per game: 2.5
Accurate Through Balls: 30
It is difficult to compare the two sets of stats in some ways as the two play in different leagues, but what is interesting is how effective Cazorla was in an Arsenal shirt in his first season after making the transition from La Liga and Özil has all the ingredients to be even more dangerous than the former Malaga man.
The Spaniard will now occupy the left wing on a regular basis with both Tomas Rosicky and Mesut Özil (not going to get sick of writing his name) looking to occupy the ‘in the hole’ role behind Giroud.
While the Gunners have perhaps not signed enough depth to challenge on all fronts, some of the exciting youngsters such as Zelalem, Sanogo and Gnabry will have to step it up in the cup matches.
But let in sink in Gooners, Arsenal have just smashed their transfer fee and brought in the best midfield assister over the last few years on a five year deal AND he’s only 24.
http://allarsenal.com/news/ozil-equal-with-messi-for-assists-in-europe-stats/