Arsenal star Mesut Ozil is the BEST sprinter in the Premier League… despite ‘lazy’ tag
"HE doesn't put himself about enough", "he disappears in the big games", "he's lazy"...
People say an awful lot about Arsenal star Mesut Ozil, particularly when it comes to his work-rate.
But believe it or not, no Premier League player has embarked on more sprints than the Gunners playmaker.
This season, Ozil, 29, has set off on 82 sprints in just nine Prem games - at a little over NINE per match.
There must be something in the water at the Emirates too, as Aaron Ramsey comes in just behind in second place.
The Welsh midfielder has bolted up the pitch 81 times in the 2017-18 season - with the Arsenal pair the only two players to break the 80-barrier.
Huddersfield forward Laurent Depoitre completes the top three with 79 sprints attempted this term.
Swansea star Jordan Ayew has set off 76 times with Chelsea star Marcos Alonso and Everton's Oumar Niasse both sprinting 71 times in 2017-18.
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A further five players have set off on 80 sprints, with Idrissa Gueye, Marcus Rashford, Hector Bellerin, Pascal Gross and Anthony Knockaert completing our list.
Despite Ozil's ability to push himself hard to get up the pitch - he's by no means the quickest player in the league so far this season.
That honour goes to Crystal Palace's Wilfried with a top speed of 21.7mph.
He's followed by Liverpool ace Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain and Manchester City's Kyle Walker (both 21.6mph).
Meanwhile, Richarlison and Rashford complete the top five, with top speeds of 21.5mph and 21.4 mph respectively.
Other stars in the top ten include DeAndre Yedlin, Callum Wilson, Romelu Lukaku and Ryan Bertrand.