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Mesut Ozil: Arsenal star admits Gunners have 'screwed up' title

German admits team did not play to their potential

Tom Sheen
Thursday 31 March 2016 17:34 BST
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Mesut Ozil and his Arsenal team-mates
Mesut Ozil and his Arsenal team-mates

Arsenal star Mesut Ozil has admitted that the north London club have "screwed up" in the title race as they enter the final weeks of the season.

The German, who has 18 Premier League assists this season but just two of those in 2016, sees his side 11 points behind leaders Leicester City, with a game in hand, with just nine matches remaining this season.

Arsene Wenger's team had been top earlier in the season before Claudio Ranieri's men kept on winning.

Arsenal have dropped points against struggling teams such as Chelsea, Swansea City, Norwich City and West Bromwich Albion this season, and Ozil says it is performances against those lesser teams that have really hurt the Gunners.

"Looking at our season so far, we have to be honest and admit that we screwed up ourselves," he said.

"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."

Arsenal are again linked with heavy investment in the summer although they were at this time last year and it never came.

Petr Cech was the only player who arrived with Arsenal the only club in Europe's top five leagues who didn't buy an outfield player in summer 2015.

A banner is displayed at Goodison Park protesting against Arsene Wenger

Ozil believes that Wenger must spend to ensure Arsenal are not left behind.

"Teams will only get stronger and Arsenal will have to strengthen as well," he added. "This season has shown that we struggle when we are missing a number of key players. We cannot allow this to happen again next season.

"We will only see more good players in the Premier League in the future due to the new TV deal."

Granit Xhaka is one player touted as a potential arrival, while the squad needs to invest in a top class striker and centre-back.

Ozil made it clear that he retains support for Wenger, who has came in for repeated criticism and heard calls to step down from the club after recent poor form.

"I would be delighted for Wenger if we win the title," said Ozil.

"He played a major role in my decision to join Arsenal. He was desperate to sign me. Everybody knows he is an extraordinary manager. He is always hungry for success, has a lot of experience and always takes his time for the players. He helps players develop."

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