• Premier League

Wenger admits Ozil needs a rest

ESPN staff
December 22, 2013
Mesut Ozil has struggled for form over the past few weeks © Getty Images
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Arsene Wenger has revealed that Mesut Ozil will be rested, but the Arsenal manager says it will not come at the beginning of the busy festive schedule.

The club's £42.5 million record signing kicked off his Arsenal career in style, inspiring his new side to the top of the Premier League. However, in recent weeks Ozil has struggled with his form, leaving Wenger with the decision to give him a rest.

But the break will not come just as Arsenal prepare for their next run of games, starting with Chelsea at the Emirates on Monday night.

"In Germany, they have a break and we had this same situation with Jens Lehmann in his first season here," Wenger said. "We have to give Mesut a break - but not tomorrow night.

"He has played a lot. But we have had a little break since we played last Saturday at Manchester City and, hopefully, he has recovered."

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