Arsene Wenger Identifies Problem in Arsenal's Star Player

Mesut Ozil
Mesut Ozil at Emirates Stadium, London, February 11. Ozil has not scored since December 10. Clive Rose/Getty

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger believes Mesut Ozil is struggling with a lack of confidence after experiencing a dip in form at the Emirates Stadium.

Ozil has been on the periphery of matches for Arsenal in recent weeks, struggling to impose himself in the 3-1 defeat to Chelsea on February 4, plus failing to score since December 2016.

Wenger recognized the drop in performance from the German, who cost a club-record £42 million ($53 million) from Real Madrid in 2013, and insisted the 28-year-old needed goals.

"I don't know why he is underperforming — it can happen," Wenger said, as quoted by the BBC.

"It's time for him to score again.

"Maybe he will find confidence back as well, because he misses chances. He has chances and he misses the chances that don't look not feasible for him.

"I felt he did not feel confident against Hull. It's always a problem because you think he can deliver something special but it's true that technically he missed things that he is not used to."

Ozil played the full 90 minutes in Arsenal's victory at the Emirates Stadium on Saturday, which saw Wenger's side go level on points with Tottenham in second.

Just two points separates second and sixth now, with Manchester United on 48 points and Tottenham on 50.

Arsenal turns its attention to Europe this week, however, as it travels to Germany to face Bayern Munich in the last 16 of the Champions League.

The first leg of the tie takes place Wednesday, and Bayern will travel to north London on March 7 for the second leg.

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