Manchester United legend Paul Scholes has claimed that Mesut Ozil took the ‘easy route’ by opting to join Arsenal from Real Madrid last season. The Gunners paid a club record £42.5m for the German’s services but has failed to make a last impact for the North London club.
Scholes has also claimed that the midfielder has under performed and also looks disinterested at times on the pitch. The former Red Devils favourite feels that Ozil’s playing style has also been hampered by Arsenal’s lack of leadership.
Scholes in his personal column for the Independent writes, “Over the years, the big players who were really ambitious – Vieira, Thierry Henry, Cesc Fàbregas, Robin van Persie – have all left.”
“They left for the simple reason that Arsenal are not in it to win league titles any more. Those players have realised that if they want to win championships then they have to move elsewhere. It’s why I think Mesut Özil took the easy option joining Arsenal.”
While Scholes certainly has a case, Ozil did help Arsenal end their drought of 8 years without silverware by winning the FA Cup last term. However, with the Gunners spending £35m for Alexis Sanchez, thus showing their financial muscle, Scholes does have a point. Arsenal should be rightly challenging for the title however they are 9 points behind leaders Chelsea and are on the brink of Champions League elimination in the first knockout stage.
Scholes continued on Ozil, “Since he has been there you cannot doubt his quality but at times he looks like he is going through the motions, however much ground he covers. He needs a leader around him to get him going. At Real Madrid he had a chance of winning league titles. At Arsenal that is not on the cards.”
Arsene Wenger though in his press conference ahead Monday’s blockbuster FA Cup quarter final against United hit back at Scholes claiming the ginger prince would have loved to play alongside Ozil. Wenger also said, “Ozil has the quality and he works a lot harder than his style of play shows.”
Monday provides Ozil the perfect chance to silence his crictics. Will the real Mesut stand up?
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