The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Ozil

  • Sanchez, Ozil rescue lacklustre Arsenal at Middlesbrough

    Sanchez, Ozil rescue lacklustre Arsenal at Middlesbrough

    Two goals from Alexis Sanchez and Mesut Ozil were enough to rescue a win for Arsenal away at Middlesbrough, keeping alive the Gunners’ hopes of finishing in the top four

    Arsenal started the game 10 points adrift of fourth place, and Middlesbrough were six points away from climbing out of the relegation zone.

    Arsene Wenger started the match with three at the back, giving Rob Holding a rare start. While neither side impressed in the first half, Sanchez curled in a fine free-kick past a static Brad Guzan.

    In the second half, Alvaro Negredo equalised for the home side, and with 20 minutes of normal time left, Ozil won it with a low shot from close range.

    With the victory, Arsenal move into sixth on goals scored, while ‘Boro now look doomed in their attempts to stay up. Arsenal’s post match celebrations betrayed their relief after a difficult period.

    TALKING POINT

    Has Arsene Wenger tinkered too late? A drop to three at the back is hardly rocket science, but putting three central defenders helps to shore up a weak central defence, and gives more bodies in the middle of the park too. It certainly helped the side to play their three best attacking players, and gave Oxlade-Chamberlain and Nacho Monreal the chance to assist in attack and defence. It wasn’t a great performance, but it was far better than it has been.

    MAN OF THE MATCH

    Stewart Downing (Middlesbrough): While he ended up on the losing side, Downing was ‘Boro’s most threatening player, and the most dangerous player on the pitch. His deft cross into the box for Negredo created a goal, and had he seen more of the ball he could have given Arsenal’s new-look defence a tougher time.

    MATCHCAST: FULL MATCH STATS AND COMMENTARY

    PLAYER RATINGS

    Middlesbrough: Guzan 6, Barragan 6, Ayala 6, Gibson 6, Fabio 7, Clayton 6, De Roon 6, Leadbitter 6, Ramirez 6, Downing 7, Negredo 7. Subs: Friend 6, Traore 6, Gestede 6.

    Arsenal: Cech 6, Gabriel 6, Koscielny 5, Holding 6, Oxlade-Chamberlain 7, Ramsey 6, Xhaka 6, Monreal 6, Ozil 7, Alexis 7, Giroud 6. Subs: Bellerin 6, Coquelin 6.

    KEY EVENTS

    37′ – RAMSEY FOUL – Ramsey should be off. He goes in late, studs-up into Clayton’s shins. Because the contact isn’t thuddering, no real damage is done, and he isn’t even booked. Absolutely awful refereeing.

    42′ – GOAL! ‘Boro 0-1 Arsenal. Sanchez scores – Sanchez arcs a free kick from the middle of the pitch, 25 yards out, into the top corner to Guzan’s right, the ‘keeper doesn’t move. A superb free kick.

    50′ – GOAL! Middesbrough 1-1 Arsenal. Negredo scores – Downing breaks down the right wing, comes onto his left foot and clips an excellent ball into the box for Negredo to put it past Cech to equalise.

    61′ – AYALA HEADER – Ayala meets a cross from Downing after it’s headed back across goal by Friend, and it’s cleared off the line after Cech falls backwards to beat it out.

    63′ – GUZAN SAVE – Sanchez picks out Ozil with a measured through-ball, and as he sets himself to shoot, Guzan rushes out to block the run and clear the ball.

    71′ – GOAL! ‘Boro 1-2 Arsenal. Ozil scores – Sanchez floats a ball into the box gently, Ramsey deftly chests it into the path of Ozil, who whallops a shot low into the near corner.

    KEY STATS

    Middlesbrough have yet to win in 2017.

  • Ozil: My Arsenal future does not depend on Wenger

    Ozil: My Arsenal future does not depend on Wenger

    Arsenal playmaker Mesut Ozil claims “everything is open” regarding a new deal at Emirates Stadium and insists the future of boss Arsene Wenger will not define his own.
    Germany international Ozil is out of contract at the end of next season and the possibility of himself and star forward Alexis Sanchez penning lucrative fresh terms in north London has been a consistent narrative over recent months, as Arsenal’s form on the field has faded.
    Ozil’s dwindling performances have mirrored those of the team as a whole, bringing the 28-year-old in for considerable criticism, while long-serving boss Wenger was the subject of fan marches before this week’s matches against Bayern Munich and Lincoln City that called for him to step down.
    Despite this turbulence, the former Werder Bremen and Real Madrid star has not ruled out remaining with the Premier League side having already held contract talks.
    “Everything is open. We had talks with Arsenal. Right now I concentrate on the current season,” Ozil told Bild.
    “Arsene Wenger was one of the main reasons I joined Arsenal. But I know that sometimes things go very fast in football and that you can never plan something.
    “This is why it would be wrong to say that my future depends on my coach.”
    As for the scrutiny of his own game, 2014 World Cup winner Ozil insists this is nothing new.
    “Criticism accompanies me since the start of my career,” he said. “I polarise – in Bremen, in Madrid, in the national team and now in London.
    “Of course it’s not pleasant, but I am more thick-skinned today. I try to not let this get to me.
    “I am a World Cup champion and I will always be.”
    Bayern completed a humbling 10-2 aggregate defeat of Arsenal in the last-16 of the Champions League on Tuesday, running out 5-1 winners in London, but Ozil has not given up on achieving European glory with his current employers.
    “You are never satisfied as a sportsman,” he added. “You need the motivation.
    “I want to win the Champions League one day, preferably with Arsenal. I have one more year on my contract here.

  • Arsenal wants more goals from Ozil

    Arsenal wants more goals from Ozil

    ARSENE Wenger called on Mesut Ozil to keep scoring after the German playmaker returned to give Arsenal a much-needed spark in their 3-1 win at Watford on Saturday.
    Ozil made his first start of the season and immediately made the Gunners look much sharper in attack as Wenger’s team earned their first victory of the Premier League campaign. He capped his performance by putting Arsenal 3-0 up in the first half after meeting a pinpoint cross from Alexis Sanchez in the box.
    While it’s normally Ozil who is the provider of those types of assists, Wenger said he wants more goals from the German star.
    “I think what we have seen from him today is what we want from him,” Wenger said. “To give assists but as well to score goals. So I’m very happy that he scored today because that’s what he has to add to his game.”

  • Ozil criticism over the top —Arteta

    Mikel Arteta believes Mesut Ozil has been unfairly singled out for criticism since arriving at Arsenal and is backing him to silence his doubters this season.

    Ozil became the Gunners’ record signing when he arrived from Real Madrid in a £40 million (€50m) deal last summer, but drew criticism from sections of the media and supporters for a perceived lack of effort and inconsistent performances.

    But Arteta believes his team-mate is being judged by unfair standards because of his hefty price tag, and is adamant the German will be better in his second season in England.

    “When you pay £40 million for someone there are always going to be critics,” the Spaniard told Goal at the launch of Arsenal’s new PUMA kits.

    “It’s been over the top because Arsenal don’t usually spend that kind of money, so expectations are really high.

    “He’s never been in that situation before but he coped with it really well, he took it on the chin, he tried really hard and he was always in a position to help the team.

    “People forget how well he started and how many good moments he gave us during the season.

    “People want to pick out the bad ones, but everyone has bad ones. When you cost £40m, people look at you with different eyes.

    “Mesut is really relaxed. He’s been under big pressure, but hopefully next season he can be even better for us.”

  • Lukaku: I don’t understand why Ozil left Real Madrid for Arsenal

    Lukaku: I don’t understand why Ozil left Real Madrid for Arsenal

    The Germany international has been criticised for his performances since the record-breaking move from Real Madrid, with below-par displays continuing into the World Cup

    Romelu Lukaku has questioned Mesut Ozil’s decision to leave Real Madrid for Arsenal in a playful dig on Twitter.

    Arsene Wenger brought the Germany international to the Emirates Stadium last summer, smashing the club’s transfer record with a €53 million move.

    After starting strongly at Arsenal, Ozil’s form in the Premier League came under the microscope and he has again been criticised for below-par displays in Brazil.

    The 25-year-old was one of Germany’s poorest performers as Joachim Low’s side stunned hosts Brazil in the World Cup semi-final on Tuesday and Lukaku has jokingly questioned Real Madrid’s reasons for selling him.

    No dissrespect to Arsenal who is also a big club but i don’t understand why ozil has left real madrid…. I guess will never know..

    Lukaku was also the subject of criticism at the World Cup and lost his place in Belgium’s starting line-up to 19-year-old Lille striker Divock Origi, but did play a key role as Marc Wilmots’ side beat USA in the last-16.

  • Arsenal Signs Ozil

    Arsenal have captured of Real Madrid playmaker Mesut Ozil in a spectacular deal worth £40 million on the transfer deadline day.

    The Germany International completed signing a deal worth £130,000-a-week that will run until 2018.

    The midfielder’s inclusion in the top-flight club team will boost their campaign in the English and European quests — it would also put to rest the clamour by the fans of the club for Arsene Wenger to sign new top players.

    Koscielny is gladdened by the impending arrival of Ozil. he is of the belief that the deal, which will smash Arsenal’s previous record fee, is a sign of the club’s ambition.

    “We talk about Mesut Ozil, we’ll see, this is a world-class player, a technical player who can adapt to Arsenal,” the centre-back told reporters ahead of France’s upcoming World Cup qualifiers against Georgia and Belarus.

    “The coach has been criticised by fans. We know that the club has money for transfers but then there’s the desire of players to come to Arsenal or not.

    “Clubs discuss them and make decisions. It is difficult in the transactions but I have confidence in this group, we’ll see if new players arrive.”

    Ozil has 47 caps for the Germany national team and, in his three years at Real Madrid, scored or assisted 108 goals in 157 appearances in all competitions.