Lead Arsenal Back To Champions League, Ozil Charged

Arsenal FC manager, Arsene Wenger has charged their star player, Mesut Ozil to lead the club back to the European Champions League.

Tying up the Germany international was like making an extra signing for Arsene Wenger when Ozil finally agreed to extend his contract in return for a pay hike up to £350,000-a-week.

But Wenger has warned the star that it comes with a far greater responsibility to drive the team forward on a more consistent basis than the occasional – and therefore frustrating – masterclass.

“He has committed his future to the club in a period where we are in a tricky position on that front, in qualifying for the Champions League,” he said. “You expect that he becomes the leader and takes the responsibility to lead the team to success. He will be the technical leader of the team.”

Wenger admits that no amount of money will make Ozil roll up his sleeves and get stuck in like a traditional leader in English football.

“That’s why I say the technical leader,” Wenger clarified. “Physically he is much stronger than people think. His distances are quite good. He can run. He is not a tackler. When he is angry he can.”

Ozil was not happy how Manchester United treated him after showing initial interest, as if they were never seriously interested in bringing him to Old Trafford. And when Man United failed to get in touch, the 29-year-old ultimately decided to stay put in Arsenal.

After dotting the lines he said, “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…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. Once a Gunner, always a Gunner!”

Ozil’s first game for Arsenal since the deal will be their 5.30pm match against Everton today.