For about half an hour at Goodison Park, it looked like Arsenal would have no trouble whatsoever leaving Merseyside with three points.
A deflected Alexis Sánchez free-kick had given Arsène Wenger’s team the lead, and Romelu Lukaku was getting no change out of the Gunners’ centre-backs.
But Ronald Koeman’s men gradually came back into the game as half-time approached, and were rewarded with an equaliser from Seamus Coleman just before the break.
Both teams had chances in the second half, but Ashley Williams’ late header proved decisive, with the Welshman scoring against the London club for the second straight season, albeit for two different clubs.
40% of Ashley Williams' Premier League goals have been the winner in a come-from-behind 2-1 win over Arsenal.
— Tom Victor (@tomvictor) December 13, 2016
But was the goal thanks to a great run from Williams, who escaped the attention of his opponents to nod home a Ross Barkley corner, or was it all the fault of Mesut Özil?
The German would not normally be the obvious candidate to pick up an opposition player significantly taller than him, but even if that wasn’t the plan then his failure to even challenge for the ball seems odd.
Here he is as the closest man to Williams when Barkley’s corner comes in.
Williams’ run is hardly the most complex, yet the Arsenal player doesn’t track him.
And by the time the ball hits the net he’s practically facing the other way.
It didn’t take long for people to pick up on this, and those commenting fell into a few camps.
You had those asking why Özil wasn’t doing more to prevent the goal.
Ozil cowering there as he's meant to mark Williams for the winner. An obviously class player, but he has a few too many of those moments.
— Miguel Delaney (@MiguelDelaney) December 13, 2016
Really poor from Ozil on the corner. Gave it up.
— James Dall (@JamesDall_) December 13, 2016
Can't blame Ozil for being beat by Ashley Williams on a corner but making no effort to try and stop it is inexcusable
— Gray (@jcmcr__) December 13, 2016
Those who – with good reason – were asking where the other Arsenal players were amid all of this.
Main question is why was Ozil in there defending a corner
— Charan. (@Charan_afc) December 13, 2016
https://twitter.com/Tishidi/status/808796552835821568
slopy performance, why on earth was Ozil on Williams for the corner, unbelivable , players need to use comon sence n speak up take control
— Benny L (@bennyl_dnb) December 13, 2016
Of course, you also have camp three – those who think we can excuse Özil because…erm…he’s good at passing?
yeah because that's why he's in the side and why we paid 40m for him. Win headers against a man 5 inches taller 👏
— Diarmy1 (@CarrollDiarmuid) December 13, 2016
Ozil can do whatever he wants chief. Deal with it
— The Chief 🇨🇾 (@Macho_Grande1) December 13, 2016
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