Ian Wright rips into Mesut Ozil with Thierry Henry comparison
Ian Wright doubts that Mesut Ozil has what it takes to turn things around under Unai Emery and believes the midfielder must provide more than just assists to rejuvenate his Arsenal career.
Ozil, 30, has had an immensely frustrating time since Unai Emerys arrival in the summer, with form and injuries keeping the German out of Arsenals starting XI in recent months.
A back spasm meant Ozil missed the Gunners 4-2 victory over Tottenham at the weekend and the playmaker is a serious doubt for the sides trip to Manchester United on Wednesday night.
Ozils absences are becoming a major concern for Emery and Wright believes the midfielder is becoming a luxury that Arsenal can no longer afford.
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As good as [Henrikh] Mkhitaryan and Ozil are, in respect to what theyre earning were talking about £500,000-a-week, Wright said on BBC 5 Live Sport.
I do not believe that Arsenal can afford to be paying that sort of money without getting a return, especially when you look at what theyre trying to do at the moment.
Youre going to lose [Aaron] Ramsey as well who probably wants £200,000 so were going up to £700,000-a-week in money that were going to have to give.
Surely youve got to find three or four players that you can pay a lot of money to that will give you the output you want.
Wright questioned Ozils ability to perform on a consistent basis for Arsenal and compared the Germans output to that of Thierry Henry.
Looking back on Ozils classy display against Leicester earlier this season, Wright said: He got substituted in the next game against Palace!
The thing with him is. do you think hes someone that can adapt? Hes an unbelievable player but can he do it? I dont know if he can.
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I had Arsenal fans coming over to me saying hes had 19 assists. Thierry Henry had 20 assists and 30 odd goals – and he done it twice!
Is that what we want, just assists? Is that what youre going to throw in my face? And a hat-trick against Ludogorets?
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