Arsenal’s Per Mertesacker: More to come from Mesut Ozil

Per Mertesacker believes there is more to come from Arsenal midfielder Mesut Ozil.

The 24-year-old playmaker missed a first-half penalty in Arsenal’s 2-0 victory over Marseille in the Champions League on Tuesday night.

Ozil has scored three goals and made six assists following a club-record £42.5m switch to Arsenal from Real Madrid on deadline day.

But Mertesacker reckons his compatriot will find his goal-scoring touch if the midfielder continues to get himself in threatening positions.

“He’s made good progress,” Mertesacker is quoted as saying by London24. “He’s in good form, you can see that.

“Especially tonight, he was always a threat. He never gave up, despite the penalty that he missed.

“I think we are delighted with him, especially in the transition from defence to offence.

“He’s the one who goes deep all the time. He’s in good form and I think we’ll see more from him.

The Arsenal centre-half added: “He gets himself in good positions so the goals will come for sure.”

On Wednesday, Mertesacker revealed his delight to be in contract negotiations with Arsenal over a new deal.

“I am very delighted here. The first year was tough for me, a very tough challenge, but the club and the manager always trusted me in a special way. I think it is a little reward that we are talking [about a new contract], because I still have one-and-a-half years left,” the London Evening Standard quotes Mertesacker as saying.

“There is no rush but it seems that some people are delighted with my performances at the moment. I am pleased with the situation.”