Arsene Wenger has admitted that Mesut Ozil is struggling with his confidence but is he still feeling the effects of his recent illness?
The German magician has been some way off his best for the last month or so and it hasn’t gone unnoticed by fans. While we are used to seeing criticism of Ozil in the media, regardless of his performances because of his languid style, most Arsenal fans are more attuned to him.
After Hull, Wenger was asked if Ozil, who hasn’t scored in his last eight Premier League matches (with just two assists), has been a little bit poo recently.
“I felt he was not completely confident technically today,” Wenger said, frankly.
“I completely agree with you, that’s a problem because you always think he can deliver something special.
“It’s true that technically he did things today that he is not used to doing.
“I don’t know why, it can happen. I can’t think of a specific reason. I had a chat with him on Friday. He seemed all right.
“Maybe it’s time for him to score a goal again. He needs to find his confidence again. He misses chances that don’t look unfeasible for him.”
Ozil missed two games recently with ‘flu. The true virus (not just the one people say they have when they’ve got a sniffle) can sap you of energy long after you think that it has finally cleared.
I was once almost hospitalised with ‘flu. It took me a long time to be able to walk without feeling breathless and lethargic. I’m not quite sure what I’d have done had I been asked to play in the Premier League. Cried, most probably.
