Arsenal midfielder Mesut Ozil has received his share of criticism this season. The player pays no mind to this. The German says he is well aware of abilities. “I know what I can do”.
A poor season that sees Arsenal in danger of losing out on the Champions League qualificaiton has brought out the fans’ rage. Adding insult to injury, the team were also kockedout of the Champions League with a humiliating 10-2 aggragate score. Manager Arsene Wenger and star player Mesut Ozil have been the main targets for those issuing their complaints.
However, Ozil is unmoved by the criticism. The German midfielder thinks that the success he has had enjoyed in his career is proof enough that he knows what he’s doing. “I hear a lot, but I don’t give any worth to it. What the manager says is what’s important to me. What experts say doesn’t interest me and never will.”
“I know what I can do. I’ve not been playing at the top level for nothing. I’ve been successful. The expectations are very high, as mine are for myself too. I have big expectations of myself,” said Ozil. Ozil is a World Cup winner, lifting the trophy for Germany in 2014. He has also won trophies at Werder Bremen and Real Madrid.
Manager Arsene Wenger recently defended the player’s commitment. He said that despite what some fans may think, Ozil cares a lot about Arsenal’s future. Ozil, along with team mate Alexis Sanchez, have not yet signed an extension on their contract. With nogotiations breaking down earlier this year, the club announced that talks would be resumed at the end of the season. Wenger is confident the players will not leave the club. “He cares. What I wanted to say is that people often reproach him by saying he does not care because of his style of play, but he cares much more than people think he does,” Wenger told reporters.
The boss has just been asked about @MesutOzil1088 …
“He cares… much more than people think he does” #CPFCvAFC pic.twitter.com/GAUAkNsidb
— Arsenal FC (@Arsenal) April 7, 2017
Mesut Ozil talked about his ambition to one day win the Ballon d’Or. He admits that such a personal award will not be possible without the team first earning success in Europe.
“To do that, you have to win the Champions League, otherwise it’s very hard,” the player said. “I think every player wants to win that award but it’s not my goal. If it happens in my career, that will be nice, but for me titles with clubs are more important.”
Regarding Arsenal’s recent disappointing results, Ozil thinks the team can still turn things around. His side will face tough opposition in securing a top-four finish this season. Manchester United, City and Everton are among their rivals for fourth place. “Even when that is the case, we need to battle until the last second. If you believe in yourselves, you can achieve a lot.”
