Two players who were at different points at the end of last season seem to have switched roles this time around. Mesut Ozil was constantly being sounded out for not performing in the league with the Gunners while Eden Hazard was destroying defences and even won the Premier League player of the year award in Chelsea’s title winning season.
Cue a few months into this season and the form that Hazard had shown last year seems a distant memory while Ozil seems to have found some sort of magic pill as he has been providing assists to his teammates like he is haunted by his performances for the Gunners since he signed for them.
One stat that did catch the eye recently is that Mesut Ozil has provided as many assists this season as he had in his first two years at Arsenal. Funny fact, Ozil also now has the same number of assists in his Arsenal career as Hazard, 29 so far but the German has gotten them in 59 games fewer than the Chelsea attacker, thanks to Opta stats.
29 – Mesut Ozil now has 29 Premier League assists in his career, as many as Eden Hazard but in 59 games fewer. Race.
— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) December 21, 2015
The big question that might be vexing a few is which player has actually had a greater impact for his team since joining them?
A playmaker vs. An attacker
Comparing the pair might not be the easiest seeing that they don’t exactly play in the same positions or in the same roles. While Ozil has often played on the wing, also dabbled sometime in the midfield as well in his first two years, his calling has been in the free role behind the striker which he has taken up amazingly well this season.
Hazard on the other hand has always hugged the touchline and played as a winger. Not only that his job isn’t always to find the killer through ball but to score important goals or cause a lot of problems for the opposition defence.
Hazard has scored 49 goals in his three plus seasons at Chelsea, not bad for a winger but the fact that he hasn’t opened his account this season must be stinging the Belgian. He has often been touted by ex-manager Jose Mourinho as one of the best players in the world and was supposed to take on Messi and Ronaldo for the tag for the greatest but that has never taken place as he hasn’t been able to change games like the Argentine and Portuguese have been able to.
Certainly Ozil had been asleep in his first couple of seasons and only has managed 16 goals for Arsenal in his two plus seasons so far but he is a creator and not a finisher. You do not expect the German to make a lung-bursting run into the box but he does find the attacker that could score the goal.
Who has had a greater impact for their team thus far? Despite Ozil doing what he has been doing this season, he hasn’t been playing at this level since he joined the Gunners. Hazard on the other hand has always played in top gear and was one of the reasons why Chelsea won the league last season.
Hazard certainly has had a greater impact for Chelsea compared to Ozil for Arsenal. The Belgian has gone missing this season and his absence has been felt massively, hopefully he can find his way back under Hiddink and then kick-start better next year.
Ozil on the other hand could well be the player who wins Arsenal their first Premier League title in over a decade and if he does that, he surely will go down as one of the best players of this season.
Arsenal host Chelsea at the Emirates Stadium on Sunday in what could prove decisive for the Gunners’ Premier League title ambitions. Arsenal sit top of the table with 61 points from 28 matches, five points clear of Manchester City, who still have a game in hand, while Chelsea occupy 7th with 45 points after being held to a frustrating 1-1 draw by Burnley at Stamford Bridge last weekend.
This represents a huge opportunity for Mikel Arteta’s side to put further distance between themselves and the chasing pack before facing Brighton away on Wednesday. Chelsea arrive at the Emirates in patchy form under Liam Rosenior, who has won just two of his eight league matches since replacing Enzo Maresca in January despite an encouraging start to his tenure.
Kick-off: 4:30 GMT, Sunday, March 1, 2026
Venue: Emirates Stadium
TV: Sky Sports
Kai Havertz Returns to Haunt Former Club
Mikel Arteta confirmed on Friday that Kai Havertz will train on Saturday ahead of the Chelsea clash, giving the German a chance to feature against his former employers. Havertz has been sidelined with a hamstring injury since early February, but scored the winner in Arsenal’s 1-0 Carabao Cup semi final victory over Chelsea earlier this month.
The 26 year old has endured a nightmare campaign with injuries limiting him to just 158 Premier League minutes this season, though he has still managed two goals and two assists when available. Viktor Gyokeres has flourished in Havertz’s absence, scoring twice in the 4-1 North London Derby demolition of Tottenham last weekend.
Rosenior Yet to Face Top Six Opposition
Liam Rosenior faces his first test against a top six side in the league since taking charge of Chelsea, having only faced teams sitting 7th or lower during his opening eight matches. His winning run needs proper context, given the quality of opposition, with recent dropped points against Leeds and Burnley at Stamford Bridge exposing serious vulnerabilities.
Arteta has beaten Rosenior twice already this season in the two legged Carabao Cup semi final, and the Spanish manager will fancy his chances of completing a treble over the Chelsea boss. Bukayo Saka should be fit despite limping off late against Spurs, while Ben White remains doubtful with a niggle.
Predicted Lineups: Arsenal (4-3-3): Raya; White, Saliba, Gabriel, Timber; Rice, Zubimendi, Odegaard; Saka, Gyokeres, Eze
Chelsea (4-2-3-1): Sanchez; James, Disasi, Colwill, Cucurella; Fernandez, Caicedo; Madueke, Palmer, Mudryk; Jackson
Also read: Kai Havertz Injury Update: Real Timeline and Medical Details Revealed!
Arsenal Dragon
Update Given Following Arsenal Injury Scare as Olivia Smith Discharged From Hospital After Being Stretchered Off During FA Cup Win Over Bristol City
Arsenal star Olivia Smith has been discharged from hospital after being stretchered off the field during their Women’s FA Cup game against Bristol City. The forward, who joined the Gunners in the summer, played just under an hour before being forced off with pictures showing a neck brace around the 21 year old at Meadow Park.
This was a worrying moment for Arsenal supporters watching on Sunday afternoon. The Canadian international went down, receiving lengthy treatment before being taken off on a stretcher as a precaution. Thankfully, the injury appears to be far less serious than initially feared.
Left Hospital Yesterday Evening
According to Arsenal reporter Tim Stillman, Olivia Smith left the hospital yesterday evening after tests were run and will return to be assessed this week ahead of the March international break. This is brilliant news for Arsenal, who cannot afford to lose Smith for any length of time, given her importance to the team.
It is believed that her involvement with Canada is still up in the air, with the Canucks facing a triple header of friendlies against Colombia, Argentina, and the United States over the coming two weeks. Arsenal’s next match sees them face London City Lionesses in mid March.
Big Boost for Champions League Hopes
With no video available for Arsenal’s cup game against Bristol City, there was huge concern surrounding Smith’s condition for those unable to attend the game at Meadow Park. Thankfully, what seemed initially to be a severe injury has turned out to be a fairly minor incident.
While Stina Blackstenius and Alessia Russo are both more than capable options to lead the line, it has been Smith who has been Renee Slegers’ favoured choice and proven to be a brilliant signing since her arrival from Liverpool. Having Smith likely available for both legs of the Chelsea Champions League quarter final is a massive boost for Arsenal’s hopes of retaining their European crown.
Arsenal
Arsenal Star Named WSL Player of the Month for January as Midfielder Continues Outstanding Form Following 400th Appearance Milestone
Kim Little has been named January’s Barclays Women’s Super League Player of the Month, recognition that follows her 400th appearance for Arsenal. The captain has made an outstanding start to 2026, completing every minute in the WSL and helping secure two clean sheets and four points from fixtures against Manchester United and Chelsea.
Little drove the midfield against United in the 0-0 draw at the Emirates Stadium and was again pivotal in the disciplined defensive display at Stamford Bridge that delivered that historic 2-0 win over the Blues. This is absolutely deserved recognition for one of Arsenal’s most influential players, who continues to perform at the highest level despite being 35 years old.
400th Appearance Came in Belgium
Little’s landmark 400th appearance came in Belgium as Arsenal won 4-0 at OH Leuven to close in on a Champions League London derby with Chelsea. The Scottish playmaker came on as a second half substitute in the 82nd minute, replacing Olivia Smith, to reach 400 appearances.
This achievement is even more notable given the time she spent playing in the USA and Australia during her career. Little has become one of the defining figures of the modern Arsenal era, establishing herself as an absolute legend at the club.
Chelsea Awaits in Champions League Quarterfinals
Provided nothing dramatic unfolds at Meadow Park next week, Chelsea awaits in the quarterfinals of the UEFA Women’s Champions League. Arsenal hold a commanding 4-0 advantage from the first leg and are overwhelming favorites to progress to a mouth watering London derby in the last eight.
Little will be central to Arsenal’s hopes of defending their Champions League crown, with the midfielder’s experience and leadership qualities proving invaluable during the knockout stages of major competitions. Her consistent performances continue to set the standard for everyone around her.
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