Liverpool legend Steven Gerrard: ‘Mesut Ozil is a liability for Arsenal’
Soccer Football - Premier League - Stoke City vs Arsenal - Stoke-on-Trent, Britain - August 19, 2017 Arsenal's Mesut Ozil looks dejected after the match REUTERS/Andrew Yates EDITORIAL USE ONLY. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or "live" services. Online in-match use limited to 45 images, no video emulation. No use in betting, games or single club/league/player publications. Please contact your account representative for further details.
Liverpool legend Steven Gerrard believes Mesut Ozil is a liability for Arsenal away from home, following The Gunners’ 1-0 defeat at Stoke City on Saturday night.
The 37-year-old, who was speaking exclusively on BT Sport, criticised the Germany international for not offering his team-mates enough work-rate or support as debutant Jese Rodriguez’s second-half strike secured all three points for The Potters at the bet365 Stadium.
Gerrard said, “Arsene Wenger [manager] has got to address it, because out of possession, you are a man down.
“If you have got a man who doesn’t fancy running back and busting a gut, doing dirty work, out of possession you are a man down. It has got to be addressed.”
The Reds hero added, “We have all seen him on his day when he fancies doing both sides of the game, he is a world class talent.
“Today he was poor in possession, of most of it. But he did some nice things as well.
“I just worry about his reaction and his body language. When the ball is turned over, he offers his team-mates zero.
“Away from home, he is a liability, if you like. He just doesn’t do enough.”
Ozil, 28, has been linked with a move away from the Emirates Stadium this summer, with the central midfielder having less than one year remaining on his current deal.
The German scored 12 goals and provided 14 assists in all competitions for Wenger’s Arsenal last season, when they finished fifth in the Premier League standings.
BT Sport is where the best in sport go head to head, bringing you live coverage of the Premier League, UEFA Champions League and Europa League, Aviva Premiership, European Champions Cup and Challenge Cup, The Ashes, Boxing, UFC, NBA and MotoGP. For more information, visit www.BT.com/sport.