Arsene Wenger has backed Mesut Ozil to score more goals and have a bigger impact on this Arsenal side after two seasons in England.
The German international arrived on deadline day in 2013, and last summer came off the back of a successful World Cup campaign. This year is his first full pre-season with the club and the Arsenal manager is convinced his record signing can produce more because of that.
“He is physically stronger,” he said, “more equipped to deal with the Premier League and in the second part of the season last year we have seen that intelligence of his passing.
“The fact that he added some steel to his game, that was needed, certainly in the Premier League, and I am confident he can be one of the great players of 2015/16.”
Ozil got 7 goals in his first season and 5 in his second which was truncated by injury, but Wenger is looking for him to hit double figures this time around.
“I want more goals from him because he plays in that position and he is a good finisher, but he does not take enough chances when he is in the position when he can finish.
“He is conscious of it and he wants to do it now, so I am confident of that. I believe he is in positions where he can finish better and we want from him 10 goals per season.”
And the Arsenal manager is tipping the former Real Madrid man to show his very best after a period of adaptation.
“When Ozil signed he joined very late without any preparation with the team, after in 2014 he came back exhausted by the World Cup,” he said.
“He got injured for four months and in the second part of the season he started to really adapt. This is of course the test: it is a very important season for him.
“But you could see that people have turned in favour of him recently, they start to enjoy his game. I’m confident that he can be one of the great players of 2015-16. He can become player of the year.”
Frankly anyone that doesn’t enjoy Ozil is a bit weird as far as we’re concerned, but he can definitely do more.
This season would be quite the time to do it.
His body movement on the ball is like Michael Jackson dancing Billie Jean. Scintillating!!! COYG!
All hail Looooooorrrrrrdddd Bendtnaaaaaaaaaarrrrr!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PV_VAbfIR0o&t=1m25s
Ozil for POTY. you heard it here 1st. Remember this is the same guy that 2-3 years ago was one of top 3 players in the world just behind cr7 and messi. so poty is definetly not beyond him.
More importantly though he plays for my Arsenal my fucking beloved arse! COYG WEMBLEY!
lets hope he likes pressure then, poty before a balls kicked in anger, thats a bit O T T.
As some bloke once said.
“Do not fear prressure for pressure it what turns rough stones into diamonds”
Not sure how you claim to have said it first when, you’re commenting on an article where it clearing quotes Wenger as saying just that! No matter though. You really can sense that they tide has turned on how Ozil is regarded, amongst fans and across followers of football as a whole. You can genuinely feel that the sentiment has changed, which is brilliant. I too predict that he’ll have a big season. The wizard at the controls!
That’s a bit pedantic, you can’t knock the guy for being excited.
Nothing wrong with being a pedant.
Are you ok Ferngunner?
Özil to do some sick shit again in the season ahead. Nuff said.
Nuff said?
Correct.
Özil was the first player in my fantasy team for this season and I know he’ll prove me right. A true bargain at 8.5 million.
You can see from his pre-season goals that his confidence in the 18 yard box is renewed. After his diddy dip in form he was always going for the pass instead of making the goal his own but now he looks like a new Mesut.
A Mesut I want to make my captain.
I’ve never understood the criticism of Mesut, he makes football look so easy. He doesn’t get praised enough for his 1st touch and the fact that he always looks as though he’s got so much time on the ball. I’m not even going to go into the passing, that’s the best I’ve ever seen from an Arsenal player.
As for goals, he’s stated in interviews he enjoys assisting more than scoring so if he scores more this season that’s a direct order from Mr Wenger.
He reminds me of Pavel Nedved in his body language. So relaxed and confident the way he glides around the pitch. Some (usually ex United or Liverpool players) seem to think he’s lazy, but they either don’t get it or they’re being wilfully ignorant.
Personally, I think he’s a footballing genius, and the best player we’ve had (along with alexis) since Henry & Bergkamp. I still can’t believe we got him in his prime. What were Real thinking!?
Ozil is definitely one to look out this season. I still am amazed by the fa cup final performance he put on. he just destroyed villas defense one pass at a time. It shows how far he has come and adapted to the league. With him and santi in midfield we will have a flowing attractive and effective midfield. I just hope non of our players get lengthy injuries. Now let us destroy the Blue Bus. COYG.
PoTY? Offcourse. The only competitor for him is Alexis.
Poty definetely a possibility. I reckon it will be a contest between Özil, Alexis, Hazard and Aguero. Memphis Depay for pfa young player of the year I think.
one of wenger’s biggest mistakes at the beginning of last season was not playing ozil as a no. 10. it looks like he’s learned his lesson and the position is now ozil’s – this alone should help ozil to reach the 10+ goal target (in addition to the billion or so chances he creates). can’t wait for the season to begin COYG!
I think the fact Ozil was exhausted from the World Cup was a major factor in AW not using him as the No10 where the player needs lots of energy to cover the full width of the field as well as the length.
Um, yeah, because the wing is definitely the laziest position on the field, and definitely not the no.10 position. Certainly not.
I you think the No10 position is less energetic than the wing position then you’ve never played No10.
only “one of wenger’s biggest mistakes”? Clearly not a fan, then.
Double digit goals and assists please!
Come on Mesut! Show them what you’ve got. Player of the Year awaits!
Le Prof has spoken. Opponents be warned. Alexis starts official training tomorrow. The guy never stops training, even on holiday. I hear his pillow is stuffed with tiny footballs branded ‘Atom & Humber’.
I love me a mesut.
He needs to stop thinking of it as scoring and instead that he’s passing the ball to the net, guaranteed to get a goal every time then
Comment:If only he was playing alongside TGSTEL! Lord Bendtner of Wolfsburg!
Ozil is smart, so he appears lazy cos he does the complex in the easiest of ways. The dumb would think he is lazy but who cares. He is Ozil, OurOzil #10zil….COYG
Let’s start with trashing Chelsea tonight. Ozil and Theo score!
A lot of what I used to love about Dennis was that almost balletic balance he had, and I’d never seen it in anyone else until I saw Özil play. Beautiful footballer. If I was going to nitpick, I wish he might sometimes hit balls with a bit more pace, especially free kicks. They’re always perfectly placed but could occasionally do with a bit more oomph.
not just ozil,i feel all our players will add or develop something to their games this season. am just having this surreal feeling abt le gunners. we can start by shutting the noisy neighbours from the west side. COYG. forever in my hearts
I agree. Of course Theo should get a few more goals and if the injury gods are kind, Jack and Ox will get a few more than last season. Hopefully Santi and Rambo will return to the score sheets a bit more often as well.
Here Wenger talks about Mesut’s style and this is very interesting: http://www.theguardian.com/football/blog/2015/aug/01/mesut-ozil-arsene-wenger-arsenal?
I’ve been following Mesut’s career for three years now and to those who still doubt, i can tell that he plays now better than in Real. I agree with Wenger, BUT the point is that Mesut can’t do it alone and that he needs to be as n°10 (and not to be accomodating for a Wilshere as it was for the start of last season… remember Aston Villa and Gala when Mesut played 10: the team changed and the result was terrific). And he needs partners to HELP him! He won’t do it alone…
Ozil is world class IMO. ESP when he glides around the pitch☺️….. Make more attempts at scoring and that’s it. He’s about to be an EPL winner…
So this pre-season Wenger has had Ozil POTY training.
I’ll show myself out.
The interesting comment that AW made was he wanted Ozil to replicate a more Bergkamp No 10 role/thinking…..another potential Dennis in my life time would be extraordinary…….
Cue drool…..
I’m not worried, I take one look at dat body and I’m sure he scores enough already.
By the way ROY KEANE EST UN CONNARD, UN IMBECILE ET FILS DE PUTE means exactly in English ROY KEANE IS ROY KEANE
Roy Keane has obviously never understood that it is better to be quiet and have everyone think you are a fucking idiot than to open your mouth and remove all doubt.
I want more goals from him because he plays in that position and he is a good finisher. But he does not take enough chances when he is in the position when he can finish.