Mesut Ozil claims that defeats ‘always rouse’ and drive Arsenal to push on. This comes ahead of their UEFA Champions League tie against Olympiacos on Tuesday night in London.
Speaking to Arsenal Player, Ozil explained the Gunners’ European aspirations.
We’re developing ourselves further as a team.
Defeats always rouse the team more and our aim this season is to go as far as possible, and if possible to win it, because we have the potential.
Ozil reflected on their poor start to this year’s edition of European play with their matchday one defeat in Croatia against Dinamo Zagreb 2-1, saying there’s all still to play for.
Of course the first game didn’t go well for us but we have a lot of matches in front of us that we want to do well.
But we are aware that there are a lot of teams in the tournament who are among the favourites and have a very good squad.
In the Champions League, as in football, anything is possible and that’s what we want to show this year.
With a bit of luck, we can reach our target and that’s what we want to do.
Speaking about last season’s knockout round exit at the hands of Monaco, Ozil blames misfortune.
I think there was a lot of misfortune last year.
When you look at the English teams, you see that they are strong because they have a lot of players in their ranks who have a lot of quality.
Ozil also blames the away goals rule.
In the Champions League, especially in the knockout rounds, sometimes one goal or the away goals ruling can decide ties, like with us against Monaco, where that was the case.
Arsenal will look to challenge further in European play this year than they did last. The game against Olympiacos is their first at the Emirates in this year’s stage of the Champions League.
