Ozil has new look and new hunger for glory with Gunners

MESUT OZIL has underlined his determination to get back to his best – and start helping Arsenal win trophies again.

He has started pre-season with a new hunger to prove wrong the doubters after a disappointing campaign which left his future at the Emirates in serious doubt.

The club’s top earner, Ozil struggled with injuries and with fitting into Unai Emery’s firstteam plans, but won back his place towards the end of last season.

“I am really happy,” said the 30-year-old after the 2-1 win over Bayern Munich in the International Champions Cup. “I’m fit. We’re working hard and, as an Arsenal player and an Arsenal team, we have always goals to win titles.

“Hopefully we can win titles this season. We train really hard to be fit for the whole season, we are doing our job very well.

“We work hard together and we showed, especially against Bayern Munich, we look very fresh. We deserved to win.

“We are really happy to have been training in Los Angeles and we’ve a little bit more time before the season starts.”

Last season was Ozil’s toughest since joining Arsenal in 2013, with Emery dropping the £350,000-aweek midfielder and barely picking him for away games. It left the German World Cup winner – his hair dyed blond after losing a crossbar challenge with team-mates – at a crossroads in his career, with Arsenal appearing ready to offload him had any clubs who could afford him come forward. Emery (left) is a demanding manager, which is at odds with a player such as Ozil, whose game is more about flair than hard work. It seemed there was a breakdown in their relationship and a lack of trust between them. Ozil’s previous managers included Jose Mourinho and Arsene Wenger and he insists there is no issue with Emery.

“I’ve had a lot of coaches in my career so of course every coach is different and wants something different from you as a player,” he said.

“I had a few injuries before the start of last season so, of course, I had a tough time. But, especially at the end of the season, I played a lot of games.

“I’ve a really good relationship with the coach so we’re speaking a lot and he wants to help me and I want to help the team.”

Emery said: “Mesut is working very well and I’m very positive about his commitment. I’m looking forward to seeing the best Mesut Ozil this season.”