Mesut Ozil will shine for Arsenal next season, insists defender

Per Mertesacker is convinced that Arsenal are yet to see the best of Mesut Ozil.

The Germany playmaker has endured a mixed first campaign with the Gunners after joining the north London club from Real Madrid last summer.

He has shown some great skills but he needs to be more consistent

Per Mertesacker

The 25-year-old hit the ground running but faded in the second half of the season before picking up a hamstring injury last month.

However, Mertesacker believes that the midfielder was always going to require time to adapt to the rigours of the Premier League.

“It’s very important to understand the differences between the leagues,” Mertesacker told Arsenal Player.

“Mesut came from La Liga and it’s quite difficult to play there. I think he has adapted well but there is more to come from him. I think the second season will be much better for him because he’s a fantastic player.

“He has shown some great skills but he needs to be more consistent, which makes a difference at the end. Sometimes it’s good to get criticism with the negative points… if you are intelligent enough, and he is an intelligent footballer. I think he will sort that problem out.

“It’s similar to myself when I got my injury in the second part of my [first] season, and after I came back even stronger because then I realised what is at stake.

“I think for Mesut it was good to get a little rest to be ready for the last few games for us, then the World Cup and then another season. I think with a pre-season ahead of him, there’s more to come from him.”