That’s the view of former England and Everton winger Trevor Steven, who saw Ozil shine in Arsenal’s win over Leicester on Monday.
That was the Gunners’ tenth win in a row in all competitions as they begin to reach their potential under Emery.
The Spaniard took charge at the Emirates during the summer, replacing Arsene Wenger, and has got Arsenal back to playing a flowing style of football.
That has been led by playmaker Mesut Ozil in recent weeks with the German scoring and playing a key role in Arsenal’s other goals in the 3-1 win over the Foxes.
Ozil was captain on Monday night and led from the front despite a difficult summer with Germany.
And Steven, who won the FA Cup win Everton in 1984, believes the decision to give Ozil the armband was an inspired one by Emery.
“Ozil is meant to be the iconic figure at the club and is their highest earner,” Steven wrote in his City AM column.
“Ask anyone in German football and they’ll tell you he can do anything – but his attitude has been wrong.
“Now that seems to have changed. He appears to get it.
“He was in need of some love after his acrimonious international retirement in the summer. Arsenal have given it to him.
“Being made captain on Monday was recognition from Emery that Ozil has embraced a more collective approach.
“It’s also a smart move that gives him greater responsibility: he can’t shirk his role as a leader.”
Ozil’s Arsenal team-mate Alex Iwobi also praised the 30-year-old.
Iwobi said: “I have been training with him since I was 17 and I have seen what he can do.
“The quality he has is not just in training. He is a world-class player and he proved that again last night.
“He gives me advice in a different way. He jokes around but always tells me I can do more – even last night, he was saying I can do more, he is always one of those guys.
“But he is always happy, always telling me and giving me the confidence to express myself, so it helps me.
“Mesut will come across as laid back but he is helping everyone in a different way and he helps me a lot.”