Every now and then, DFB.de takes a look at a first-team player who has a particular challenge coming up at the weekend. Today is the turn of Mesut Özil, whose Premier League side Arsenal take on surprise table-toppers Leicester City and defensive rock Robert Huth on Sunday.
Ahead of the battle with the powerhouse, one artist has come out in support of another. Andrea Pirlo, World Cup winner in 2006 and worldwide superstar, has identified his successor. "He sees things like no one else in Europe can," said the Italian, who is currently playing overseas. "He's the most creative player in Europe at the moment. He creates an unbelievable number of chances for the attackers in front of him." Pirlo isn't the only one full of praise for Özil, either. The German World Cup winner from Arsenal has been dazzling the Premier League with his artistic ability this season.
Arsenal take on surprise sensation Leicester
It is precisely that attribute that at least one of his opponents on Sunday is often presented in stark contrast to. Leicester City, who are sensationally top of the English top division after 25 games, are the polar opposite of the expensively assembled British top teams. Here, in middle England, on the train line between London and Sheffield, football is laboured rather than played. Robert Huth stands as the epitome of their style.
The former Germany international is known as 'The Berlin Wall' in his new home, and not just because he was born in the old East German capital, but also because he fulfils his role in the team in the most primal of fashions. The 1.91-metre tall centre back is uncompromising and no-nonsense in his work. 'Old school,' one might say. "Brave, strong, a bundle of energy," he was recently named by The Times after his two goals in Leicester's 3-1 away win over Manchester City.
Mesut Özil: "The top four are all playing each other"
Arsenal are currently five points behind Leicester, who themselves only narrowly avoided relegation last year and remarkably find themselves as the front runners in this season's title race. The third-placed side, who have won two FA Cups on the bounce, are now dreaming of a first league title for twelve years. "Our job is to hinder the great wave of euphoria surrounding Leicester," said Özil ahead of the clash with the team of the moment. "For me, Leicester being at the top of the league so far into the season is the biggest surprise of recent seasons in all of Europe's top leagues. Our challenge now is to change all that."
For that, playmaker Özil will have to play a key role. Last weekend, the Germany international led Arsenal to victory in Bournemouth with a goal. "He's a very important player for us," said Arsenal manager Arsène Wenger after the away win that kept Arsenal in touch of the leaders. "It was a top, top, top performance from him. He performed bullishly." Wenger was particularly impressed by the right-footed goal from the left-footed playmaker. "That's how he's getting even stronger," said Wenger. Özil continued: "The win was important as it kept us at the top. We're in with a real chance. The top four are all playing each other now." On Sunday, second-placed Tottenham Hotspur travel to fourth-placed Manchester City.