Alexis Sanchez is No 1 at Arsenal but Mesut Ozil deserves to be Arsene Wenger's No 10... he makes the team tick and the duo can lead them to Premier League glory

  • Mesut Ozil will be Arsenal's No 10 next season - not Alexis Sanchez
  • Ozil deserves playmaker role after fine performance at end of season
  • German Ozil and Sanchez banished myth that they couldn't play together
  • Chile star is at his best out wide, away from the packed centre of the pitch
  • When Ozil plays well, Arsenal play well and Arsene Wenger will want both men firing ahead of the 2015-16 Premier League title push 

Alexis Sanchez produced some of his best form last season operating in behind the striker.

He is Arsenal's most dangerous weapon, the player Arsene Wenger looks to for individual inspiration.

But who will be the man charged with leading the Gunners' Premier League title charge from the No 10 role? Mesut Ozil. And rightly so.

Mesut Ozil will be Arsenal's No 10 this season and will hope to impress in the 2015-16 campaign

Mesut Ozil will be Arsenal's No 10 this season and will hope to impress in the 2015-16 campaign

Alexis Sanchez will more than likely operate from the left wing as Arsene Wenger aims for the title

Alexis Sanchez will more than likely operate from the left wing as Arsene Wenger aims for the title

Arsenal were accused of only turning up in the 2014-15 campaign when the pressure was off after Christmas, but that is just overlooking the former Real Madrid playmaker's contribution.

When Ozil plays well, Arsenal play well. When he is in the mood and dictating the tempo with that languid style, there isn't anyone better suited to Wenger's game.

Of course, Sanchez scored six goals in just four games playing as a No 10 while Ozil struggled with a knee injury in 2014.

But this also coincided with a poor run of form in north London. Wenger hadn't found a system to suit his best talents, and Sanchez was the only man in his team on top form. There was no alternative.

The Chile star dazzled in behind Danny Welbeck but that was more owing to that individual quality; he didn't make the Gunners tick. Sanchez, quite rightly, was rather selfish in the role and looked to dribble through pockets of space, rather than open them up for team-mates as his German colleague does so effortlessly.

Ozil hasn't quite hit the heights expected of him since becoming the club's record signing in 2013 - and was made to look even more foolish when Sanchez hit the ground running after joining from Barcelona - but showed he was ready to display his best form when proving his fitness in 2015.

Sanchez shone in a central role at Arsenal but that was owing more to his individual ability

Sanchez shone in a central role at Arsenal but that was owing more to his individual ability

Ozil struggled for form and fitness after returning from his World Cup win with Germany last summer

Ozil struggled for form and fitness after returning from his World Cup win with Germany last summer

He had been used out wide in a 4-5-1 at the beginning of the season after returning from winning the World Cup with Germany but wasn't happy with his performances. 

As he was gradually eased back into first-team action, he had a point to prove. Despite the wealth of attacking talent Wenger had at his disposal, this was Ozil's spot, and the team would have to fit around him.

And fit they did. The stats may suggest otherwise but Ozil and Sanchez well and truly banished the myth that they couldn't play together with some of their link-up play down the left as Arsenal finished strongly in third place.

The FA Cup final performance was arguably the Gunners' best of the season and both of their star men were firing on all cylinders.

Sanchez took centre stage with a stunning strike in the second half, and Ozil won't mind that. As he did with Cristiano Ronaldo in Madrid, it is his job to make the best players even better.

Ozil was at his dazzling best in the FA Cup final in behind the striker as Arsenal beat Aston Villa 4-0

Ozil was at his dazzling best in the FA Cup final in behind the striker as Arsenal beat Aston Villa 4-0

Sanchez's stunning strike for the second goal stole the show at Wembley but Ozil won't mind that

Sanchez's stunning strike for the second goal stole the show at Wembley but Ozil won't mind that

The German playmaker helped Cristiano Ronaldo perform at his best during his time at Real Madrid

The German playmaker helped Cristiano Ronaldo perform at his best during his time at Real Madrid

It is also worth pointing out that the left wing suits Sanchez more than any other position, as he proved in Chile's Copa America win on home soil.

He is able to strut his stuff away from a packed centre of the pitch and tie his full back up in knots, while drifting in unmarked and making devastating runs in behind. His defensive contribution on the flank is also far greater than Ozil's.

Arsenal remain active in the transfer market after signing Petr Cech and while a defensive midfield acquisiton looks unlikely following Mikel Arteta's new deal, a winger or striker hasn't been ruled out.

An alternative to Welbeck and Olivier Giroud could head up the XI, while a right winger should be an option.

But make no mistake, Ozil will be at No 10 and Sanchez will be on the left.

The 2015-16 campaign promises to be a huge one for both of them and they will hope to finish it with much more than just an FA Cup.

With Sanchez moving out to the left, he is able to avoid much of the attention in the middle of the pitch

With Sanchez moving out to the left, he is able to avoid much of the attention in the middle of the pitch

With Ozil (above) and Sanchez (below) at their best, Arsenal can challenge for the Premier League this season

With Ozil (above) and Sanchez (below) at their best, Arsenal can challenge for the Premier League this season

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