Ex-German international, Michael Ballack, believes Arsenal midfielder, Mesut Ozil, should have stayed at Real Madrid and fought for his place.
The former-Chelsea midfielder was speaking on Sky Sports about the current form of Ozil, and he believes it’s down to him leaving a club like Madrid for Arsenal and he doesn’t think his form will improve anytime soon either.
Ozil left Madrid last Summer just as Gareth Bale arrived at the Bernabeu, and Ballack believes the German international should have stayed in Spain due to his quality, but also believes he cannot take criticism well and that is why he isn’t putting in the high-level of performances everyone is expected.
Arsenal paid £42million for the midfielder, a club record fee, but Ballack believes Ozil made the wrong decision in joining the North London club.
Speaking on Sky Sports, he said: ‘What’s happened with him? I don’t know. There must be something behind (the scenes) because his head is mostly down, the body language is not improving even with the world champion (medal) in the pocket.
‘I don’t really know what’s happened over the last year since he moved from Madrid to Arsenal.
‘A player like him with his ability should have tried to stay longer at Real Madrid.
‘That is my opinion. You could see there was a little bit trouble, a little bit moaning. I think he played well but you need time to adapt at a club.
‘If there is some ups and downs (at a club) you need to fight these things.
‘And now it’s a little bit the same situation. He got criticised here (at Arsenal), he’s not at his best but I don’t see a reaction.
‘A player like him with his ability should show a reaction but he never was the strongest player in terms of fighting, body language.
‘That’s his weakness – especially in these situations now when he can’t use his technique and his vision.
Written by Alex Batt – @AlexBatt – @AlexsArticles
