Mesut Ozil has been talking to Arsenal Player about the club’s aims for the season to come and how he feels he has to push himself more, both to help the team and improve as a player, suggesting that he does not feel like he has yet shown his best on a consistent basis since moving from Real Madrid – a criticism that has been levelled at him from both the media and some sections of the fan-base.
The German World Cup winner said: “I know that I have a lot more potential to show but if you look at the last two years, we’ve been successful and have won the FA Cup twice.
“Every season you need to prove yourself again and I want to do that again this time.
“I want to help the team as much as I can. Ultimately we have a strong team that can win everything. Our aim is to be more successful this season than we were in the last.”
This is Ozil’s first pre-season at Arsenal, having joined after the Premier League had already got going and missing last year’s preparations due to the role he played in Germany’s successful World Cup campaign. He appears to be feeling the difference.
“I’ve noticed myself that the training sessions we’ve had here are helping me to become fitter,” he added. “I want to get through pre-season without any injury and then we can see.
“I know exactly how I can use my body. We had three weeks holiday – maybe that was a bit too short – but I’m looking forward to the new season and to our new challenge.”
Although it appears he may have appreciated a slightly longer break before returning, Ozil sounds like he’s already feeling the benefits, and is optimistic for this season. Fans will be hoping he can achieve what he wants to, both personally and for the team.
