Wenger gives Arsenal tips on how to get the best out of Mesut Ozil

Arsene Wenger has given Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta some timely pointers on how to extract the best out of Mesut Ozil.

Ozil has become a forlorn figure in the Arsenal camp over the past year, and there appears to be no way back. Missing out on a spot in the club’s Europa League squad could be the last straw. It’s apparent he has no future under Arteta, meaning an exit next summer is likely.

The Gunners reportedly tried to offload their biggest earner last summer as part of cost-cutting measures. His refusal to lower his £350k-per-week salary was a big strain on the club’s finances, which took a heavy hit from the pandemic.

Despite not featuring at all this season, however, Ozil has indicated a desire to return to action. The German continues to attend training and was recently seen on camera greeting Arteta in a friendly manner.

🦁💯🙏🏼 #M1Ö #positivity #alwayssmile #YaGunnersYa pic.twitter.com/niZtvkApfV

— Mesut Özil (@MesutOzil1088) September 22, 2020

Now Wenger, who signed Ozil from Real Madrid in 2014 for €47m, has advised Arteta to seek out the right balance in his squad to allow the World Cup winner to thrive once more.

“He wasn’t exactly the one with the greatest discipline on the pitch,” the ex-Gunners boss told German outlet, Der Speigel.

“And playing the game without the ball wasn’t exactly his forte. But you can deal with that if you put some more defensively minded players by his side. The main thing is to get the balance between attack and defence right.”

Wenger added: “Players have lost their technical quality over the past 10 years.

“Athleticism has become more important than technique and decision making. It’s more about physical characteristics and intensity, about explosiveness. And it’s also about being a showman.”

Ozil hasn’t played for Arsenal since laying out an assist for Alexandre Lacazette’s winner against West Ham in March.