Mikel Arteta believes Mesut Ozil’s performance has improved a lot off late despite him providing just two assists and scoring no goals in all competition in this season.
Mikel Arteta said “The demands that we have to put on him are to make the difference every single game. To do that he needs the right structure and players around him to help him to do that. I think he could have had more assists and probably more goals in the games he has played under me which has been a little bit unlucky but overall I think that his performance has improved a lot. I’m not surprised. I know the ability, I know the player we have there. The structure has to help him (Ozil) for him to take everything that he has inside. On his own, he cannot do it. He needs the collective structure, organisation, and his team-mates. There are only one or two players in the world who can do something on their own.”
Arsenal played 1-1 draw to Sheffield United in their last match and are currently languishing at the 10th spot in the points table. They will next face Chelsea in a make or break match for top 4 aspirations.
Arsenal’s ambitions of mounting a late bid for the Champions League places are on the line at Stamford Bridge on Tuesday and Mikel Arteta admits three points against Chelsea, followed by a sustained run of good form, are necessary if their hopes of turning a fraught season around are to be maintained.
Mikel Arteta said “It’s very, very important for us to win this game to fight for [the top four]. The game we played at home could have made a big difference and we were very close to it. Tomorrow we need to win. If we are not able to do that, then the dream of being up there, it’s impossible. If we are able to win three or four games on the trot, then we are right there. That’s the challenge we have and all the teams have at the moment. When you look at the results from the weekend, all the draws, and how one decision changed the whole game between Burnley and Leicester, the margin is not that big. So it is complicated. You have to dominate every aspect of the game.”
Arteta retains belief that they can improve on a run of two wins in 15 games. Arsenal’s effort to change their campaign’s complexion will take place without Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, who serves the second game of a three-match ban, but Sokratis Papastathopoulos may return after being ill atthe weekend.
Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta ready to start Anglo-Ghanaian forward Eddie Nketiah against Chelsea. With Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang continuing his three-game suspension and Lacazette off form, Nketiah might be the leading frontman this time around.
Mikel Arteta said “Every player has a chance to start. [Nketiah] is in the squad. We will assess who is in best conditions to play in who is training well and we’ll make the decision based on that. “
The 20-year-old was recalled from his loan spell at Leeds United and it has been confirmed he will be staying at the Emirates Stadium outfit until the end of the season. “
