Former Arsenal defender Martin Keown has lambasted his former club for not using Mesut Ozil more frequently in games. He also said that the German midfielder needs to take a look at himself and blamed his attitude towards the whole scenario.
Ozil signed a new contract this summer which will see him pocket £350k per week at the Emirates. However, the playmaker has fallen down the pecking order in Unai Emery’s side drastically. He has made only two appearances for the Gunners this season, with one of them coming in the Premier League.
“It’s embarrassing for the football club that he is not featuring for Arsenal,” Keown said.
“He has to take a look at himself. It can’t be everybody else’s fault,” Keown said.
“I don’t care what he’s earning to play for the club, it’s an honour to play and while you are there you make your mark.”
“At the moment, is he setting a good example in training? As a senior player I would make sure that the youngsters would follow on.”
“I would graft, I would work, give everything I could. I would be collective and help the group around me.”
“I wouldn’t be talking about me. He’s looking about and saying ‘I’m not playing now so don’t blame me’.”
“Well… No. It’s about the collective – it’s not about you.”
“How do we get you in the team now to get you back in the group? That’s the next step for Ozil now. The opportunity is there.”
“I don’t see him saying anywhere he is desperate to play. For me, the oxygen every weekend was to be in that team and I would bust a gut and I want to see that from Ozil.”
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