Mesut Ozil gave the biggest hint that he will be at Arsenal next season after urging Arsene Wenger to whip out his cheque book and strengthen the squad.
However, the German playmaker’s latest comments about the Gunners’ chances of lifting the title at the end of next month will not go down so well with his manager, and perhaps even a majority of the Emirates faithful.
Just recently, Ozil accussed Arsenal of ‘screwing up’ their title bid. Although it may be true, Wenger and the fans will not want to hear such honesty from their players, especially from one who has been accused of his lack of interest in the past.
Arsenal host Watford today at the Emirates and are still in with a shot of winning the title, and upon hearing Ozil’s comments, Wenger snapped:
‘His statement is not welcome and I will be talking to him about it. I will make sure that the players do not give up.
‘We have to believe that we are still in it, even if it is just one chance in a hundred.
‘The worst thing in life is to have the wrong beliefs. So you have to make sure that you give your absolute best right to the end.
‘It would be terrible for us not to believe and then find the title was available if we’d had a good run.
‘I have nothing against the players being honest, but we have to look forward – and this group deserves to be rewarded for all the effort, hard work and dedication they have put in.
‘There is still an opportunity for us and we have to grab it because it’s now or never.’
There is of course nothing wrong with a player being honest, and some fans out there will appreciate that Ozil at least has the guts to say what he is feeling on Arsenal’s title hopes.
However, his comments could spread negativity amongst those at the club and this is why Wenger is not happy to hear what the German had to say.
Mathematically, Arsenal are still in the title race, but the only way they can end the season as Premier League champions is if Leicester City and Tottenham have a very, very poor running from now until next month and of course if the Gunners win every game left.
Realistically, however, fans should perhaps prepare themselves for a trophyless season, especially with the way both Leicester and Spurs are playing at the moment.
