Wenger: Ozil’s in the comfort zone

ARSENE WENGER has questioned whether Mesut Ozil’s lucrative long-term contract is a factor in his Arsenal slump. Ozil signed a £350,000-a-week deal until 2021 last year and Wenger said players can slip into a ‘comfort zone’ with such financial security. Wenger was Arsenal manager when Ozil (right) signed the deal but hinted that was a club decision. The 30-yearold has repeatedly been left out of the Arsenal squad, and it appears he will leave this summer if a buyer can be found. At the Laureus World Sports Awards, Wenger said: ‘We think when we sign a player for five years we have a good player for five years. But that doesn’t mean that they practise, they play their best, as they might be in their comfort zone.’