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Arsenal vs Liverpool: Mesut Ozil was in a Berlin nightclub 'for a friend's birthday', reveals Arsene Wenger

Wenger defends the German midfielder and reveals his latest injury troubles ahead of the Premier League tie with Liverpool

Jack de Menezes
Thursday 02 April 2015 15:38 BST
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Arsenal midfielder Mesut Ozil
Arsenal midfielder Mesut Ozil

Arsene Wenger has revealed the reason behind Mesut Özil’s late-night trip to a Berlin nightclub just hours after being ruled out of Arsenal’s victory over Newcastle before the international break.

The Arsenal manager spoke to the press on Thursday morning ahead of the crucial Premier League fixture with Liverpool on Saturday afternoon, with the lunchtime kick-off set to be a pivotal match in the race for the top four.

The 65-year-old Frenchman also revealed the latest injury troubles he is having to cope with, as England striker Danny Welbeck is the latest to have suffered injury at a crucial time for the north London side.

Welbeck has a chance of facing Liverpool this weekend should he recover from the knee injury he picked up during the Three Lions’ 4-0 win over Lithuania last Friday, which caused him to miss the 1-1 draw with Italy on Tuesday as he was sent back to Arsenal for treatment.

“Mikel Arteta, Jack Wilshere, Mathieu Debuchy and Abou Diaby are all back in training but not ready yet. Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain is back in training as well but won't be available. Welbeck could return."

Ozil played for Germany against Australia and Georgia

When quizzed further on Wilshere’s possible return, Wenger did seem to reveal that the England midfielder has a chance of featuring, as he admitted: "I don't know whether he will be involved yet."

Arsenal have the chance to deliver a significant blow to Liverpool’s top-four ambitions and strengthen their own in the process with a victory at the Emirates on Saturday. With Arsenal currently third and just a point behind second-placed Manchester City, Wenger knows a victory will see them move nine points clear of fifth-place Liverpool, with just seven games remaining in the season.

"What is mathematically possible you have to try to achieve but that's not all down to us,” Wenger said. “We can only master our own performances.

"I have a big respect for Liverpool but I am focused on the game and producing the performances we have done recently."

The match sees Steven Gerrard come up against Arsenal for what could be the final time before he leaves to join LA Galaxy at the end of the season, although the two clubs remain in the FA Cup and could meet in the Wembley final should Liverpool beat Blackburn Rovers in their sixth round replay and both clubs come through their respective semi-final encounters.

Welbeck suffered a knee injury on England duty

Wenger acknowledged Gerrard’s impact on the club over the years and had special praise for his ability to drag them back into the games when they looked down and out.

"When Liverpool were in trouble everyone looked towards him and nine times out of 10 he got them out of it,” he said.

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