Wenger laments Ozil’s ‘waste’

ARSENE WENGER says the situation around Mesut Ozil is currently “a waste” for both the player and Arsenal.

Gunners legend Wenger signed Ozil for the club in a £42.3million deal from Real Madrid back in 2013, and the German played his best football for the club under the Frenchman in what were the latter years of Wenger’s reign.

At his best Ozil brought a sparkle and a style to Wenger’s teams, and he also impressed at times in the initial months under the Frenchman’s successor Unai Emery.

Now, though, his Arsenal career remains in ruins having failed to play for the club since March, with both the player and his agent seemingly more than happy to see out the final year of a £350,000-a-week contract without much time on the pitch.

Wenger says it is a shame that both find themselves in this position, and has urged Mikel Arteta and the club to somehow find a way to get him involved again.

“I feel it is a waste for him,” Wenger told BBC Sport.

“Firstly because he’s in the years where a player of his talent can produce the most. And it’s a waste for the club as well because he’s a super talent, a creative talent that in the final third can create that killer pass.

“The way football is going at the moment it’s quick counter-pressing, quick transitions and everybody plays the same.

“It’s kicked out players like Ozil. Although let’s not forget who this guy is. A world champion who has played at Real Madrid.

“He’s been the record player of assists, so you have to find a way to get him involved again.”

Ozil has been left out of Arsenal’s Europa League squad this season, and at present there seems little chance of him playing for the club again. ror.