Arsenal defender Per Mertesacker has urged Mesut Ozil to get fit and fight for a starting place in Unai Emery’s lineup. He is currently restricted to the sidelines due to an injury.
The fans and pundits alike have been astonished at the German’s failure to cement a spot in the starting lineup.
“I hope Mesut can get fit. Unai requires a certain fitness level,” he said.
“Unai is fair to everyone. You need to deliver a certain fitness level – then you are available to play.”
“Unai tries to get through to him. He talks to him. He says: ‘You need to train to a certain level every day – I need you to be fit – otherwise you are not going to play.’”
“That’s what I’ve seen. He puts him in the squad but then leaves him on the bench. If he trains to the level that’s required, he can play.”
“Personally, I’m in favour of that. When Mesut is fit, he is one of our best players. He needs to be in there. We need to build the team around him and make him stronger.”
However, Mertesacker also admitted that he is out of ways to convince and provoke his compatriot.
He added: “It’s his personality, he doesn’t take it personally.*
“I don’t know what the trigger is. I had my go. I’ve tried very hard to be close, to stay away from him…sometimes I’ve given him a shout, sometimes not. He was okay with everything.”
“It’s about Mesut himself.”
“He can deliver for us. I gave him the feeling I trusted him on the pitch. I knew in pressure situations, I could give him the ball.”
“He has talent. Now it’s up to others to unlock it.”
Arsenal will face Watford in the Premier League today.
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