Scout Report: How did Arsenal playmaker Ozil perform as Germany defeated Poland?

Mesut Ozil has not always been immune from criticism in Germany. Despite featuring in Joachim Low's World Cup-winning side, the Arsenal playmaker's languid style often provokes murmurs of discontent about his application and attitude on the pitch.

Germany boss Low has continued to show faith in the 26-year-old, presenting him with a place in the starting line-up as the current World Cup holders defeated a resilient Poland side 3-1 in Friday's Euro 2016 Group D qualfiier. 

The victory restored Germany to the top of Group D, but did Ozil respond to his critics and play a starring role? Goal took a look at his performance..

Ozil began the match in the familiar central attacking midfield role, occupying the pockets of space behind the main striker, a position fulfilled by the rotating duo of Mario Gotze and Thomas Muller. 

On either side of the playmaker, Karim Bellarabi and one of Gotze or Muller provided a wide attacking outlet for Ozil's delicate through balls. But the trio of players behind the front-man in Germany's 4-2-3-1 system offered fluid movement, continually interchanging, as Poland were carved open.

Following half-time, with the World Cup winners ahead through goals from Muller and Gotze, Ozil drifted out to the left flank, allowing Ilkay Gundogan to take up a central berth, having replaced Bellarabi.

Low has consistently tasked Ozil with conducting the orchestra of Germany's attacking players, and the 26-year-old fulfilled his manager's wishes, offering measured, incisive control. 

As is often typical of the Arsenal midfielder's performance, Ozil glided around the pitch, always looking to receive the ball in tight areas, confident of his ability to wriggle away from defenders and play a decisive pass.

The play became more condensed as the game went on, yet the 26-year old offered a number of majestic touches in the first half to underline his brilliance. 

An exquisite flick with the inside of the left heel dumfounded Poland's defence, allowing Muller to break on the counter-attack in the first half. The Bayern Munich forward again benefited from Ozil's vision, as a delicately disguised pass found it's way through the defensive line, before goalkeeper Lukas Fabianksi denied a goal.

Ozil illustrated the best of his talents, released from the pressures of having to track the opposition's offensive players, allowing the Arsenal playmaker to maintain his fitness and performance levels throughout the match. 

Gotze and Muller may have sparkled, but the calm and measured metronome provided by Ozil allowed Germany to continually gain a foothold high up the pitch, guaranteeing a continued threat to the Poland defence.