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One Arsenal fan has used stats to compare Mesut Ozil and David Silva and thinks he's proved that the Gunners' midfielder is better than the Manchester City man.
David Silva's announcement last week that he would be leaving England next summer, after 10 years in the league, left many heralding him as one of the best players in the Premier League era.
One Arsenal fan though thinks that the plaudits going to Silva should instead be going to Mesut Ozil. The German was once lauded for the Gunners but has become much maligned in recent years.
The fan though took to Twitter to 'prove' that Ozil is the better man:
Mesut Özil vs David Silva, a thread. pic.twitter.com/fqxjtmG7n4
- ً (@afczuV2) June 29, 2019
- I will be using Mesut Özil's statistics from his days at Werder Bremen, Real Madrid, and Arsenal (all comps).
- ً (@afczuV2) June 29, 2019
- For David Silva, I will be using his statistics from Celta Vigo, Valencia, and Manchester City (all comps).
- 3 teams, which balance out to around the same quality.
First, let's start with the basics, goals and assists.
- ً (@afczuV2) June 29, 2019
:flag_de:
498 games
86 goals (0.17)
208 assists (0.42)
294 goals + assists (0.59)
:flag_es:
596 games
106 goals (0.18)
162 assists (0.27)
268 goals + assists (0.45)
If we look at it year by year... David Silva only beats Mesut Özil on G+A in 3 seasons out of 11. Otherwise Özil beats Silva in the other 8 seasons.
- ً (@afczuV2) June 29, 2019
One is an "inconsistent fraud" and the other is "the best foreign player to ever play in the Premier League". pic.twitter.com/0S5mfgnKPM
If we look at it year by year... David Silva only beats Mesut Özil on G+A in 3 seasons out of 11. Otherwise Özil beats Silva in the other 8 seasons.
- ً (@afczuV2) June 29, 2019
One is an "inconsistent fraud" and the other is "the best foreign player to ever play in the Premier League". pic.twitter.com/0S5mfgnKPM
Quick note on consistency:
- ً (@afczuV2) June 29, 2019
Özil has CONSISTENTLY performed, putting up better G+A than Silva as proof. Silva? He never gets criticism for being inconsistent. Despite playing in one of the greatest sides of all time, he goes 5 months without scoring. pic.twitter.com/vjq6xvRujx
Mesut Özil and David Silva are close in terms of goals scored, but when you take into account assists and games, Özil's productivity blows Silva out of the water.
- ً (@afczuV2) June 29, 2019
"David Silva plays deeper than Mesut Özil":
Neither of them have played a position deeper than center-midfield.
"Football is more than G/A."
- ً (@afczuV2) June 29, 2019
In 18/19, Silva was a nominee for the PL TOTY, while Özil recorded just 2A.
However, if we take an in-depth look at their szns, it's balanced.
Remember, Silva played for a generational team & Özil played for a trophy-less team that finished 5th. pic.twitter.com/MXkuLx80pE
Next, we'll look at accomplishments.
- ً (@afczuV2) June 29, 2019
:flag_de:
1x World Cup
1x La Liga
1x Copa Del Rey
3x FA Cups
1x Supercopa
1x German Cup
3x Most Assists (La Liga, PL, Bundesligue)
:flag_es:
1x World Cup
2x EUROS
4x Premier League
1x Most Assists (PL)
1x Copa Del Rey pic.twitter.com/vQnLCptXSP
Despite having won more trophies, Silva has won the better trophies (4 PL to 0 PL), but it's quite easy when you play for Manchester City.
- ً (@afczuV2) June 29, 2019
"But Özil played for Real Madrid", yes, and that's why he won a La Liga and David SIlva didn't. It's because of the quality of his team.
As for international, let's chat about the World Cup.
- ً (@afczuV2) June 29, 2019
Özil for Germany, created the most chances (15), most dribbles completed (11), and had the most passes in the final third (174).
Silva, however, started one match (the only match Spain lost) and played a total of 66 minutes. pic.twitter.com/rkzFN8R40W
"But Silva won 2 EUROS", he did brilliant in the 2012 EUROS specifically, however he was in contention for Spanish POTY. One huge reason is because he was shadowed by the likes of Xavi, Iniesta, etc.
- ً (@afczuV2) June 29, 2019
Özil on the other hand shadowed the others around him, winning 5 German POTY's. pic.twitter.com/Ma7a35Tlbs
Talking about teammates, Özil has played with a superteam like Real Madrid just like David Silva has played with a superteam like Manchester City. They have also both had their share in a "good" side with Arsenal and Valencia respectively. Let's look at how they do in each side.
- ً (@afczuV2) June 29, 2019
:flag_de: with Arsenal:
- ً (@afczuV2) June 29, 2019
231 games
43 goals (0.19)
74 assists (0.32)
117 goals + assists (0.51)
:flag_es: with Valencia:
166 games
31 goals (0.19)
33 assists (0.20)
64 goals + assists (0.39) pic.twitter.com/pN2SqkcTVb
:flag_de: with Real Madrid:
- ً (@afczuV2) June 29, 2019
159 games
27 goals (0.17)
80 assists (0.50)
107 goals + assists (0.67)
:flag_es: with Manchester City:
396 games
71 goals (0.18)
129 assists (0.33)
200 goals + assists (0.51) pic.twitter.com/8ueQb5QwSL
:flag_de: vs top 6:
- ً (@afczuV2) June 29, 2019
55 games
6 goals (0.11)
11 assists (0.20)
17 goals + assists (0.31)
:flag_es: vs top 6:
66 games
10 goals (0.15)
16 assists (0.24)
26 goals + assists (0.40) pic.twitter.com/4cBuvQwheT
:flag_de: in CL:
- ً (@afczuV2) June 29, 2019
69 games
11 goals (0.16)
*26 assists (0.38)
37 goals + assists (0.54)
:flag_es: in CL:
66 games
10 goals (0.15)
16 assists (0.24)
26 goals + assists (0.40)
*4th most assists in the competition of all time. (Behind Ronaldo, Giggs, and Messi). pic.twitter.com/VU0WuF2t83
As you can see, in the Champions League, Mesut Özil proves once again why he is the better man. Big stage? Doesn't matter. Özil also holds the record for most chances created in a single CL match. pic.twitter.com/8pkYS0srPg
- ً (@afczuV2) June 29, 2019
In the end, we are dealing with 2 wonderful footballers.
- ً (@afczuV2) June 29, 2019
But as I've shown you today, it's clear to see that Mesut Özil should never be put below David Silva. pic.twitter.com/XT3bwgINak
Fair play to the fan, he's certainly put a lot of effort into comparing the two players according to their stats.
However the criticism of Ozil is about his recent seasons rather than an overall picture of a player who on his day is obviously brilliant.
The problem is his day was too long ago and he has often gone missing in the biggest games for Arsenal, whilst becoming the club's top earner.
Comparing the pair on stats alone is all well and good but the argument clearly stretches beyond what the computer tells you.
Topics: Manchester City, Frank Lampard, Football News, Eden Hazard, Mesut Ozil, David Silva, Arsenal fans, Premier League, Twitter, Football twitter