Tony Adams suggest Arsenal players should give Mesut Ozil a kicking to inspire turnaround
Mesut Ozil needs to be roughed up if he is to turn his Arsenal form around, according to club legend Tony Adams.
The Arsenal star has endured a slow start to the season, as his side began the campaign with back-to-back defeats to Manchester City and then local rivals Chelsea.
Adams captained Arsenal during a brilliant era of success under Arsene Wenger, but believes the current crop of players are too soft.
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And Adams has taken aim at Ozil and believes he needs to be given the Dennis Bergkamp treatment by his team-mates.
If you have solidity and strength in your team, then Ozil is a great asset. Hes a World Cup winner and a class act, said Adams.
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Hes like Bergkamp, who cruised through his first couple of years at the Arsenal.
We had to get him a little bit toughened up but Ozil hasnt got the people around him to push him and get him going.
Theres only so much a coach can do. It starts in training. We used to kick Dennis. (Steve) Bouldy would kick him up in the air again and again.
After a while of this he turned round and stamped on Bouldy and said Ive had enough of you effing kicking me, youre going to get a little bit back here.
We all said aye, aye, hes a got a bit about him — Hallelujah.
But its all become a little bit too nice there. You cant criticise or say bad things.
When I was at the club, if people werent pulling their weight, Id tell them. If you havent got leaders, you get anarchy. People just do what they want to do.
The game has changed and its not about kicking people now but it is still about aggression.
Its about tracking runners, getting in behind teams, getting down the throats of opponents and really testing their touch.
Unai Emery has spoken at length about getting the best out of Ozil, but so far has yet to inspire a noticeable turnaround at the club.
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Arsenal have an excellent chance to get the first points of their season with a home clash against West Ham on Saturday.
MORE: Alan Smith explains why Mesut Ozil should retain his Arsenal place against West Ham
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