Wenger tells Arteta how to manage 'artist' Ozil at Arsenal

The legendary Gunners manager has weighed in on the troubling situation between the current coach Arteta and Ozil.

Arsene Wenger reckons Mesut Ozil is not ‘difficult to manage’ and revealed how Mikel Arteta can bring out the best of a player he describes as an ‘artist’.

The former Arsenal boss signed Ozil from Real Madrid for a then-club record fee of €47m in 2013. Expectations soared in north London back then, as the German was regarded as one of the world’s finest talents.

And while Ozil initially struggled with the more intensive and physical play in England, he overcame it and delivered an impressive 19 assists in the 2015/16 Premier League campaign.

The former Real Madrid star enjoyed favorable status under Wenger, but he’s since fallen out under the Frenchman’s two successors in Unai Emery and Arteta.

Mesut Ozil wasn't difficult to manage according to Arsene Wenger 🤷‍♂️ pic.twitter.com/whie6Vm7D4

— ESPN FC (@ESPNFC) December 12, 2020

“He was not difficult to manage,” Wenger told ESPN.

“He was a guy who had a special quality as a creative player and needed to have fun.

“He is an artist and these guys are a bit more sensitive.

“They need support and an environment that pushes them to give their best.”

Former teammate Arteta’s arrival as Emery’s replacement in December 2019 was supposed to be a fresh start for Ozil.

He initially featured regularly and everything seemed back on track until the COVID-19 pandemic caused football to be suspended in March. And since it resumed in June, the 32-year-old hasn’t played even one game.

But, amid pleas for Arteta to restore Ozil into the squad next month, Wenger has advised his former captain on what to do.

“You have two ways to see a football team,” continued the 71-year-old.

“You get everybody to do the same. The same intensity of work, the same defensive work, or you find a compromise.

“You have a more creative player in the team who can do less defensive work, but you build a team around him who can compensate for these deficiencies.

“That is what you have to think about.”