• Premier League

Wenger: Ozil needs to get shooting boots on

ESPN staff
February 12, 2014
Ozil's disappearing act

Arsene Wenger insists Mesut Ozil needs to stop trying to walk the ball into the net and start shooting on sight if he is to regain his Arsenal scoring touch.

Ozil arrived from Real Madrid in the summer for a club record fee of £42.5 million but has not found the back of the net for Arsenal since scoring against Hull on December 4.

He produced another subdued display in the 5-1 thrashing at Liverpool on Saturday, and has returned only two assists in his last eight appearances.

And with Manchester United arriving at the Emirates Stadium on Wednesday, Wenger feels Ozil needs to get his shooting boots on if he is to rediscover his early-season form.

"You want the guy who plays behind the striker to score some goals and sometimes he [Ozil] is too obsessed with making the perfect pass when he could take a shot at goal,'' Wenger said.

"[He can improve] by practicing on it and convincing him by showing him situations where he can shoot more, and he will do that.''

Wenger also feels Ozil could benefit by bulking up in a bid to deal with the added physicality of the Premier League, compared to Spain's top flight.

"He thinks it is more physical here for sure and he works on his body strength to deal with it,'' added Wenger.

"He needs understanding, because he always wants to do well. He is not a guy who doesn't care, his style can sometimes look like that, but he is really the opposite character.

"He cares about the game, he wants to do well and needs more support.

"Ozil feels the pressure of course, because he knows a lot is expected when you are a big transfer. There is a big expectation level, but he should not worry about that, just play in the team and enjoy it, give his best. That is the best way to deal with it.

"But on the other hand, you must say he doesn't come from a small club - he comes from Real Madrid where the pressure is always huge as well, so he is used to it.''

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