Mesut Ozil admitted that he wants to win the top competitions with the biggest teams in the world, but insisted that he could achieve those ambitions at Arsenal.
The German midfielder has been instrumental in Arsenal’s season so far, providing the highest number of assists (18) in the Premier League. However, with the Gunners failing to improve on their previous two campaigns, supporters have expressed concern that their top players — like Mesut Ozil — could consider moving away from the club to win trophies.
“I always want to play for the biggest teams in the world, and in the competitions like the Champions League and it is my goal to win many titles,” Ozil was quoted as saying in the Daily Star.
However, the German World Cup winner was quick to stress that he could also achieve his dreams at Arsenal provided the North London side strengthened their squad further.
“I know that I can win titles with this team [Arsenal] but to achieve that we need a big squad, if players get injured, it’s just like that,” said Ozil. “That is why I said a lot of things have to be right, it is my aim to help the team and it is our goal to win titles and I think you can achieve that with Arsenal.
“You can realise your dreams here, and if we get in a few more good players, I think that will happen.”
Injuries plaguing the misfiring Gunners
Arsenal had a brilliant chance to win the Premier League this season, with Chelsea, Manchester United and Manchester City floundering. While they did look like serious contenders for a good part of the league campaign, Wenger’s men gradually slipped away from surprise leaders Leicester City.
Since the turn of the year, the Gunners have only been able to pick up 22 points out of a possible 39 in the league. Not surprisingly, this poor spell coincided with injuries to key players including Alexis Sanchez, Aaron Ramsey and Theo Walcott among others.
Ozil is correct in saying that injuries have slowed Arsenal’s campaign down. However, the criticism from supporters has been increasingly directed at Wenger, whose only outfield purchase this season remains Mohamed Elneny. The Gunners will have to invest significantly in the summer to have a shot at domestic success next season, given that the likes of Manchester City, Manchester United and Chelsea will do just that.
