Arsenal legend tells Arsene Wenger to think twice about playing Mesut Ozil
Martin Keown doesn't want to see Arsene Wenger rush Mesut Ozil back into the Arsenal team
Martin Keown believes Arsene Wenger should think twice about reinstating Mesut Ozil to his Arsenal starting line-up.
The Gunners midfielder has only started one of their last seven games in all competitions to raise questions about his future at the north London club.
Ozil was heavily criticised for his performance in a 4-0 loss to title rivals Liverpool at Anfield before a 3-0 win against Bournemouth in the Premier League at the start of September.
The World Cup winner missed Arsenal’s trip to defending champions Chelsea as Wenger’s side were praised for battling to a credible goalless draw at Stamford Bridge.
Ozil made a brief cameo appearance in a 2-0 win against West Brom at The Emirates before his troublesome knee injury forced him to miss Arsenal’s trip to Belarus in the Europa League.
The club’s second most-expensive signing of all-time was missing for Arsenal’s 2-0 win against Brighton last weekend as Ozil’s sat out the Premier League clash with his knee problem.
Former Arsenal defender Keown believes Wenger should think twice about playing Ozil given the north London side’s recent “workmanlike” performances in recent weeks.
“He ought to have [doubts about re-instating Ozil into the team],” Keown told BBC Radio 5 Live.
“Iwobi and Welbeck did especially well against Chelsea. I thought Ramsey did well in that wide position.
“It’s about balance for Arsenal. How many gifted players do you want [in the team]? They have to have that workman-like look about them.”
Ozil moved to Arsenal in a £42.5m deal from La Liga giants Real Madrid in the 2013 summer transfer window.
