Ian Wright Challenges Mesut Ozil To Rise Above Criticism

By The Editor
on 16th August 2018

Ian Wright wants Ozil to prove the critics wrong…

Arsenal legend Ian Wright wants Mesut Ozil to prove critics wrong ahead of the clash against Chelsea following a disappointing performance in our Premier League opener, FourFourTwo reports.

The scope on Ozil has magnified since Unai Emery’s arrival as the Spaniard demands intense pressing from the entire team – a quality not necessarily associated with the German.

Ozil was overpowered in the wide areas by Man City left-back Benjamin Mendy and struggled to deliver when in possession of the ball.

It’s led to many questions regarding the German’s suitability to the team and whether Emery may have to drop him if his system is to work.

For Wrighty though, instead of some sympathy, Ozil needs to produce and silence the critics.

“He’s somebody that is always getting a lot of criticism, and it’s up to Mesut Ozil to rise above that and try to perform in the way that people know he’s capable of performing,” Ozil told reporters.

“People know what he’s capable of if you give him time and space, so they’re not going to give him that, they’re going to deny him that.

“It’s up to him to try and find that space and try to make an impression on the game.”

I think Emery has a choice to make because playing 4-2-3-1 in the modern game just doesn’t work given the spaces left for the counter-attack.

Either Ozil transforms himself into a central midfielder, just like a David Silva did, or he must be sacrificed for the sake of the team.