Mesut Özil has been the subject of criticism from Unai Emery, with the new manager unhappy with the effort the attacking midfielder has shown.
The German has become well known for his occasional lack of defensive ferocity, happy to watch his teammates win the ball back whilst conserving his own energy.
Now however, his boss wants him to show more desire to contribute to his team’s defensive output.
When asked about defensive work, the Daily Mirror report Emery as saying:
Every player needs to do [that] in the true moment of a match. There are defensive moments and attacking moments. Every player each needs this commitment.
For me, we need to start together, whether we are attacking or defending. I want that from every player. The positioning, he [Özil] is playing all his career like a 10, like a right winger going inside to receive the ball.
It’s clear he needs the ball more to give more options in attack. He needs to do in each match, be demanding for us. Defensive moments are for each and every player. Don’t change Mesut Özil in his positioning.
It has been a turbulent spell in Özil’s career, with his World Cup group stage exit followed by an explosive international retirement, with a strongly-worded statement aimed at various German media outlets.
Arsenal will try to kick-start their season against Chelsea later today, following a 2-0 defeat at home to Manchester City on opening weekend.
