Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger: Mesut Ozil is my new leader

MESUT OZIL’S recent run of form has been the result of the Germany international discovering he had “leadership qualities” which as yet had been hidden during his time at the Emirates.

Mesut OzilGETTY

Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger believes Mesut Ozil is a leader in the team

His 16 assists put him hot on the trail of Thierry Henry’s Premier League record of 20 in a season and he has also been weighing in with the goals, scoring his fifth of the campaign against Bournemouth on Monday.

As a result, he has driven Arsenal to the top of the table and Wenger believes that the 27-year-old is discovering inspirational qualities which even the player himself had not realised he possessed.

“When he was injured for a long period he worked very hard physically,” Wenger said. “He is a complete athlete.

“But I also believe he has grown in stature and takes responsibilities, leadership in the team and on that front he has improved tremendously and looks determined to lead the team compared to when he arrived.

Mesut Ozil Player Profile

“I think he plays in a position that suits him well. He plays in a style of football that suits him well.

"He is, today, maybe more in a more comfortable psychological position because he's accepted and not so much questioned than he was in the years before.

"This season he was not stopped by injuries and I believe that he arrives at an age - 27 - that you think 'it's time for me to really be efficient in every single game, and I want to enjoy every single game'.”

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