Arsenal star Mesut Ozil wants to play in middle, admits Arsene Wenger

Arsene Wenger revealed that Mesut Ozil wants to play in the middle after Arsenal club-record signing inspired the Gunners to victory at Villa Park.

The Germany international broke the deadlock in the 32nd minute to score his first Premier League goal of the season and silence his growing critics.

It was important for him to score

Arsene Wenger

Minutes later, Ozil turned provider as he teep up Danny Welbeck for the striker’s first Gunners goal before an Aly Cissokho own goal nine minutes before the interval.

Asked after the 3-0 win where Ozil prefers to play, Wenger said: “In the middle. But I can find you 10 more players in my squad who want to play in the middle.

“Ozil played today behind their midfield because I thought they made it very tight. But it’s important for us to find Ozil between the lines and move the game forward.

“It worked, but he can play everywhere. I believe that the team played well and after it’s easier for everybody.

Wenger continued: “I was very pleased he got the goal as quickly as possible.

“It’s not your [the media’s] fault, I didn’t say that it was your fault, I just said knowing you the media how well you find out what we miss.

“It was important for him to score.”

Quizzed whether dropping Ozil after a string of disappointing displays could have affected the World Cup winner’s confidence, Wenger added: “It’s always a very sensitive point. You never know really how people respond to that.”