Arsenal

Arsene Wenger urges Mesut Ozil to 'take responsibility at Arsenal'

By Daniel Lewis, Senior Reporter | 02 February 2018

Wenger urges Ozil to 'take responsibility'

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger believes that Mesut Ozil has it in him to "lead the team to success" after agreeing a new long-term deal this week.

Arsene Wenger has admitted that he wants to see Mesut Ozil 'take responsibility' and become a leader for Arsenal after committing his future to the club.

The German playmaker is now under contract at the Emirates Stadium until 2021, having finally put an end to the growing speculation over his future earlier this week.

Ozil has been accused of going missing in big games in the past but, with Arsenal now eight points off the Champions League spots, Wenger wants the 29-year-old to step up and get the Gunners' campaign back on track.

"He has committed his future to the club. But we are in a period where we are in a tricky position on that front, with us trying to qualify for the Champions League," he told reporters at Friday's press conference.

"We expect from him that he becomes the lead and takes responsibility to lead the team to success. It is [like a new signing] because many predicted he would not commit and not sign for us, and overall it is good news for us.

"When you look at the transfer market today, the fact you can keep a player of that calibre is of course good news, and the fact he committed for a longer period shows as well he will have to lead the team."

Ozil becomes the highest-paid player in Arsenal's history with the new three-and-a-half-year contract, worth around £350,000 a week before tax.