Arsene Wenger believes Mesut Ozil is yet to reach his peak and called on the Germany international to score more goals for Arsenal.
The 28-year-old midfielder’s nine goals since August have already seen him surpass his previous best tally for a season, however, with ‘no limitation in his game’ the boss says his record-signing can still ‘give more’ to the team.
“I think what you want of him is to score goals,” Wenger told press ahead of Arsenal’s trip to Swansea.
“He is moving in the right way but always, from such a talent, you are maybe a little bit unjust because you always want more.
“You feel there is no limitation in his game and so you always say, ‘Come on, give us more’ because you always have feeling he can do more.
“We are all human beings who can improve every day. I think he has a passion for the game, you do not get the technique he has just by the gift of God, you have to focus on every single pass you have made since you were a kid to get that touch, technique and vision.
“For that you need a passion for the game and he has exceptional passion. He gives you always the feeling that he can make the team improve with the quality of his passes.”
In recent weeks Ozil has hinted that he’d like to prolong his stay at the Emirates although he has warned that his future could be dictated by whether Wenger himself chooses to sign a new contract. It’s a subject that the boss also touched on yesterday.
Having missed two games with flu, Ozil returns to the first team squad for this afternoon’s trip to the Liberty Stadium.
Welcome back. Hope he signs and improves, the second isn’t as much use without the first.
Hope mesut does a theo.. and improves on his defending, pressing and harrying a bit.. otherwise he will remain a liability when we don’t have the ball.
Of course sign da ting first though..
Did Bergkamp press and harry? Did Fabregas? Not saying Ozil shouldn’t defend at all but his effectiveness as a number 10 makes up for a it a bit doesn’t it
Yes, Fabregas did.
Bergkamp played in an era where most teams had a 2-man midfield. So the CAM/striker’s defending (albeit important) was not as instrumental.
Ozil’s arsenal typically face a 3-man midfield. If the CAM doesn’t contribute to the defending, we’re left with a 2-man vs 3-man midfield battle.
I’m not really lighting fire to this argument lool, all i’m saying is comparing ozil to bergkamp is irrelevant.
Why the thumbs down? It’s obviously something to work on.
Nice to hear he want to improve…3points please today. With what is happening at Chelsea,it’s a better way to mount pressure from today to 4th Feb… COYG
Subtext “defend a bit would ya”
Have a feeling he’ll signal his return in a big way today.
Improve his penmanship
I challenge Arsenal to sign them both up bloody sharpish. Before they both go to China or far worse go to chavski. They’ll certainly being eyeing Sanchez up if that ugly thug goes to China.
Here’s where Wenger’s development capability stands in good stead.
He’s basically putting a message out both to remind Ozil how he has improved him and that he can take him further yet.
It may resonate with Ozil. Whether it will do the same with Alexis is another thing.