Arsenal star Alex Iwobi says teammate Mesut Ozil has helped him to become a key member of the Arsenal side.
Having played and trained alongside the German for a while now, Iwobi was unsurprised by Ozil’s match-winning performance on Monday night against Leicester at the Emirates.
The Nigerian said: “I have been training with him since I was 17 and I have seen what he can do.
“The quality he has is not just in training. He is a world-class player and he proved that again last night.
“He gives me advice in a different way.
“He jokes around but always tells me I can do more – even last night, he was saying I can do more, he is always one of those guys.
“But he is always happy, always telling me and giving me the confidence to express myself, so it helps me.
“Mesut will come across as laid back but he is helping everyone in a different way and he helps me a lot.”
Iwobi has started five of the last seven games and also believes that playing under Unai Emery has benefited his game.
“For me, he has just given me confidence to express myself,” said Iwobi
“To believe in my ability, which I have been trying to show, and also in training, he is always letting me try new things, be positive, be direct and prove it in the game.
“It is working for me, so I just have to keep it going.
“I’d just say I am more confident.
“I feel that, even if I make a mistake, I am able to go again. I think that is the difference between me last year and this year.”
Tag: ozil
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Ozil gives me confidence to express myself – Iwobi
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Ozil inspires Arsenal to 10th successive win against Leicester
Arsenal playmaker Mesut Ozil displayed one of the best midfield moments in the Premier League this season as Gunners beat Leicester City for a record-equalling 10th successive win in all competitions.
Ozil’s first-time finish for the equaliser, the pass that led to the second goal and his two flicks in the build-up to the third were the catalyst for a remarkable performance by the Gunners, who had been overwhelmed by Leicester in the opening 30 minutes.
The Foxes deservedly took the lead in the 31st minute, and might argue they should already have been awarded a penalty when Rob Holding appeared to intentionally handle the ball.
Their goal came from a pacy counter-attack, which resulted in Ben Chilwell’s attempt at a low cross being turned in by the boot of Arsenal’s Hector Bellerin.
That appeared to jolt the Gunners into action. They levelled just before the break when Ozil sprinted forward and played a one-two with Bellerin before opening up his foot to place the ball in off the far post. It was a stunning finish.
Arsenal, who came into the match having scored 14 of their 19 league goals in the second half, were a different proposition after the break.
Their second goal came after Ozil cut open the defence with a beautifully weighted ball which found Bellerin. The Spaniard then played it square for Pierre Emerick-Aubameyang, who tapped home two minutes after coming on.
The Gabon international’s second followed one of the moves of the season. Ozil’s audacious flick in midfield set it in motion, before a sand-wedge of an assist by the German gave Aubameyang a simple finish.
Alexandre Lacazette should have added another but his shot, from Ozil’s pass, was saved at point-blank range by Kasper Schmeichel. -
Guendouzi reacts to rift between Emery, Ozil
Arsenal midfielder, Matteo Guendouzi, has dismissed talk of tension between manager Unai Emery and World Cup winner Mesut Ozil.
Emery had denied speculation that he was involved in a training ground burst-up with Ozil, after their 3-1 win over West Ham on Saturday.
The German was taken off during Arsenal’s 3-2 defeat by Chelsea last week and was not in the squad for the visit of the Hammers.
The Gunners had explained that the former Real Madrid midfielder is ill.
Guendouzi now insisted his team-mates are focused and happy.
“No, there are never tensions,” he told RMC Sport.
“We know what we are capable of, we have a great squad, a great staff.
“It’s a great club, we know we can do great things this year.
“Of course we lost the first two matches but there were very positive things in those first two matches, it should be noted.
“So now we won against West Ham and maybe we showed people who didn’t believe in us that we will be there this season and you have to count on us until the end of the season.”
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Kanu hits back at Unai Emery for criticising Ozil style of play
Nwankwo Kanu has told Arsenal boss Unai Emery to focus more on the strenght and attacking qualities of Mesut Ozil rather than try to alter the German’s style of play.
Ozil who recently announced his retirement from international football has been heavily maligned for his poor display and casual body language in recent games.
Kanu who spent six years at Arsenal however suggests that the club should allow the 29-year-old, who earns £300,000 a week leave the club or make room for him to thrive better in the team.
“Every player is different. What you need is his strengths, not his weaknesses. He (Emery) can work on his weaknesses, but you can’t change him,” Kanu told The Sun.“Either you accept him or you let him go. You don’t want Maradona or Messi to go back and defend, you want them to go and do what they know how to do.
“If it’s a style of play, the coach has to accommodate that and make room for Mesut to play in that manner. I don’t know why people are still complaining a lot about him.”
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Ozil retires from international football feeling ‘unwanted’
Germany midfielder Mesut Ozil announced his retirement from international football with immediate effect on Sunday.
This was after hitting out at what he perceived to be unfair discrimination surrounding his meeting with Turkish president Recep Tayyip Erdogan in May.
Ozil, 29, was part of the Germany squad that exited the World Cup in Russia at the group stage and was the target of criticism for his performances as well as his meeting with Erdogan who has been accused of human rights abuses.
The Arsenal playmaker has Turkish ancestry and defended his actions in a lengthy statement, the first time he has publicly addressed the matter.
“For me, having a picture with President Erdogan wasn’t about politics or elections, it was about me respecting the highest office of my family’s country,” Ozil said in a statement on Twitter.
“My job is a football player and not a politician, and our meeting was not an endorsement of any policies.
The treatment I have received from the DFB (German Football Association) and many others makes me no longer want to wear the German national team shirt,” Ozil added.
“I feel unwanted and think what I have achieved since my international debut in 2009 has been forgotten.
“People with racially discriminative backgrounds should not be allowed to work in the largest football federation in the world that has players from dual-heritage families.
“Attitudes like theirs simply do not reflect the players they supposedly represent.
“It is with a heavy heart and after much consideration that because of recent events, I will no longer be playing for Germany at international level whilst I have this feeling of racism and disrespect,” he added.
“I used to wear the German shirt with such pride and excitement, but now I don’t.”
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Ozil, Ramsey to miss Arsenal’s Europa League tie
Arsenal midfielders Aaron Ramsey and Mesut Ozil will miss the 2017/2018 UEFA Europa League last 32 clash against Swedish club side Ostersunds on Thursday.
However, manager Arsene Wenger is hopeful they will feature in this weekend’s English League Cup final versus Manchester City.
Wenger took close to a full strength squad to Sweden for the first leg which his side won 3-0 last week.
He will now be looking forward to giving his younger players some game time on Thursday.
Ozil and Ramsey were involved in first team training on Wednesday but Wenger said the German playmaker had struggled with illness this week.
He added that the Wales international needs more time prove his fitness after returning from a groin injury.
“He (Ozil) was in bed Monday and Tuesday for sickness,’’ Wenger told a news conference. “I would certainly have used him, but because he was sick he will have to work hard tomorrow and will not be involved.
“Ramsey’s not in the squad tomorrow, he had a good training session. We will see how his evolution goes between now and (the League Cup final on) Sunday. I don’t rule him out.”
Wenger confirmed Henrikh Mkhitaryan will be given the responsibility of producing chances going forward in the absence of Ozil, and Danny Welbeck will start upfront.
Goalkeeper David Ospina, who has been picked for the majority of Arsenal’s matches in Cup competitions this season, will keep his place ahead of first-choice Petr Cech.
Arsenal are sixth in the English Premier League, eight points adrift of fourth-placed Chelsea.
They need to finish the season in top four or win the Europa League to qualify for next season’s UEFA Champions League.
When Wenger was asked whether he would prioritise the Europa League as Manchester United manager Jose Mourinho did last term, the Frenchman replied: “He did that much later, once they were in the semi-finals.
“We have to focus on the Premier League. It (Europa League) is one of the priorities we have. We are focused to do well. But ideally we want to come back to the Champions League through the Premier League.”
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Ozil signs new long-term Arsenal deal
German playmaker Mesut Ozil ended speculation over his future at Arsenal by agreeing a new three-year deal with the Premier League giants on Thursday.
“It’s been one of the most important decisions of my footballing career and that’s why I had to think hard and talk with everyone who’s important to me,” Ozil, 29, posted on his Instagram account.
“Good things take time! In the end I let my heart decide. As I always said, I feel at home here and I’m highly motivated to achieve big things in the next few years.”
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Superb Ozil strike gives Arsenal victory over Newcastle
Newcastle suffered a fourth defeat in a row as Arsenal moved back into the top four with a narrow victory.
Mesut Ozil’s brilliant volleyed goal in the first half was enough for Arsene Wenger’s side, who dominated until a late rally from Newcastle.
Ainsley Maitland-Niles hit the side-netting for Arsenal before the break, but Newcastle had chances in the second half for Jacob Murphy and Ayoze Perez.
The result puts Arsenal into fourth place while Newcastle have now claimed just one point from the last 27.
Newcastle only came to life in the latter stages, with Perez failing to take advantage of two rare chances when he put a shot and then a header over the bar.
Jack Wilshere came the closest to giving Arsenal breathing space late on when he saw his side-footed shot saved by the recalled Rob Elliot in the Newcastle goal.
It was Newcastle’s 10th straight Premier League defeat to Arsenal and they are now without a league win since 21 October when they beat Crystal Palace 1-0.
BBC Sports
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Germany dropped Ozil ahead of World Cup qualifiers
Arsenal star, Mesut Ozil, has been dropped by Germany for their forthcoming World Cup qualifiers against Northern Ireland and Azerbaijan.
The German has been the subject of criticism so far this season, which is liable to be his last at the Emirates Stadium, where he is out of contract next June.
Ozil, played five times so far for the Gunners this season but was only on the bench for Monday’s 2-0 victory over West Bromwich Albion , having suffered knee inflammation a week earlier.
The playmaker finds himself on the sidelines along with Mario Gotze of Borussia Dortmund and Juventus midfielder, Sami Khedira as the World Cup winners aim to secure their place at Russia 2018.
Germany has not yet booked their place at the World Cup finals, though a point against Northern Ireland in Belfast would be enough.