Arsenal midfielder Mesut Ozil has revealed that he is satisfied with his first season at the Emirates despite criticism from some sections of the media.
The 25 year old signed from Real Madrid for a club record £42 million last summer and went on to make 25 Premier League appearances, scoring 5 goals and producing 9 assists in the process.
The German international admits he’s had a turbulent first season, but is taking heart from the fact the Gunners can end the season with a trophy.
According to Goal.com, he said:
I had ups and downs, but I am satisfied. Arsenal haven’t won a title for 10 years and, in one week we can win the FA Cup. It would the third cup win in the third country for me.
Sometimes the sparks fly. I have to deal with it. In Munich [against Bayern, in the last 16 of the Champions League], I was injured after three minutes but I wanted to keep on playing. I am satisfied with my first season.
Ozil has been selected in Germany’s 30-man provisional squad for the 2014 World Cup alongside Arsenal teammates Per Mertesacker and Lukas Podolski and says that winning is the only acceptable outcome as far as Low’s men are concerned. He added:
Football is a team sport and I want to do my bit so we work out as a group. There are some teams that are among the favourites.
Of course, we want to become world champions; third place or playing good football isn’t enough for us anymore.
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When I’m on the field and the whole world looks at me, I forget the heat and the humidity. Then I have fun like a little boy. We will be able to deal with the weather.
The midfielder started his career at the North London club in superb fashion, but after a breathtaking first period at the club, he hit a poor run of form. He has shone on occasion over the past few months, but his level of play has not exactly been world class, as he’s has faded in and out of games, misplaced passes, and occasionally looked disinterested and lazy mainly due to fatigue.
His final figures for the season, with a game left to play in the league, are not poor, but they are also not that of a £42.5 million capture. However, his recent performances show that things are improving for the German, with his involvement strengthening once again. Wenger will need to get more out of his record signing and better manage his form across the whole year.
He is of sublime quality and has great skill levels but to make Arsenal league champions, or gain success in Europe, the player needs more quality and depth around him and hopefully we will sign a striker with pace whom Ozil can feed when he plays between the lines.
Will Ozil improve next season? Share your thoughts in the comments below.
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