Arsenal coach Arsene Wenger has revealed his unhappiness with Mesut Ozil‘s recent comments about the Gunners’ title chances and has promised action.
Speaking to German source Spox earlier in the week, Ozil admitted that the London heavyweights only had themselves to blame for failing to assert themselves as champions elect.
Despite the failings of both Chelsea and Manchester United, Arsenal have had to watch on as both Tottenham Hotspur and Leicester City have torn towards the title, leaving the Gunners in their wake.
Heading into Saturday’s fixture against Watford, Arsenal sit six points behind arch enemies Spurs and 11 behind the Foxes, having played a game fewer than their title rivals.
“Looking at our season so far, we have to be honest and acknowledge that we’ve messed it up ourselves,” Ozil told the aforementioned German source.
“We did not play to our potential in the games against the so-called smaller teams. You immediately get punished for that in the Premier League.
“But we still have a chance of winning the title. We have to hope Leicester and Tottenham slip up and then make the most of it.”
Speaking ahead of Arsenal’s return to action following the international break, Wenger has slammed his star playmaker, and assured journalists that the player will be spoken to.
“The statement is not welcome,” Wenger told the media, as per the Telegraph, “because we have to believe, no matter if it just one chance in 100, we have to believe. We only have a real chance if we believe.
“I will make sure they don’t feel that. We will talk (with Ozil) about that. Yes, of course. I have nothing against players being honest. You want to be fair and honest. But you want as a well to look forward,” he continued.
“I think the worst thing in life is to have wrong beliefs. So you have to make sure that you give absolutely your best, and at the end accept that if somebody is better than you, that you have given your best.
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“The worst thing for us would be not to believe, and then if we had a good run it was available, possible. I believe that we have to make sure that we play with passion until the end. That is the best way to get the supporters behind us.
“The stress becomes bigger but Leicester are in a very strong position at the moment. They can still lose it. The only way we can achieve that is with us performing.”
Even though Arsenal still have a game in hand on their title rivals, it will take a major effort for the Gunners to overhaul the top two with matches fast running out.
Similarly, while the Emirates Stadium giants have stuttered in recent fixtures—losing to Manchester United and Swansea City—Leicester have demonstrated a vital ability of grinding out narrow victories, while Spurs have momentum on their side having won their last two matches.