Arsenal news: “Not a great night for Ozil”

Germany and Arsenal playmaker Mesut Ozil (Action Images)

 

 

Despite scoring against Republic of Ireland on Friday, Germany midfielder Mesut Ozil received criticism from his country’s national press for his performance in Cologne.

The Germans secured their place at next summer’s World Cup finals in Brazil with the three points against the ‘Boys in Green’ and manager Joachim Low has given his players some time off ahead of their final qualification clash with Sweden on Tuesday.
Sami Khedira, Andre Schurrle and Ozil were on target for Die Nationalmannschaft in their comfortable 3-0 victory over the Irish.

With injuries to Mario Gomez, Miroslav Klose and Lukas Podolski all unavailable for last night’s match, Low chose to play without a recognised striker using Ozil in the ‘false nine’ role.

The Arsenal midfielder may have got his name on the scoresheet but German newspaper Die Zeit felt the 24-year-old gave an underwhelming performance in Cologne.

The German daily reported: “After the final whistle Ozil shuffled about the pitch. With his body language, this man has the ability to bring together all things miserable in the footballing world.

“His flimsy shoulders, his sagging head, his sad eyes. He is always like this - during the game and even after victories.

“You want to grab him, shake him about and ask him what the problem is, or buy him a drink. Probably both.
“It was not Mesut Ozil’s evening. This game should have been a special one for him as he pulled on the DFB jersey for the 50th time.

“But Joachim Low gave him a present that he would have preferred to exchange – the ‘false nine’ position.”