World Cup 2018: Mesut Ozil ‘played with handbrake on’ for Germany, claims old boss Arsene Wenger
Arsenal attacker came in for huge criticism after the World champions disastrous campaign in Russia and Wenger insists that wasn't the player he knows 'who can kill' the opposition
MESUT OZIL was poor at the World Cup because he “played with the handbrake on”, according to his former Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger.
Ozil was well below par in Russia and after starting the defeat to Mexico was dropped for the win against Sweden.
The 29-year-old was given a reprieve against South Korea but failed to deliver as the defending champions embarrassingly crashed out in the group stages.
And Wenger, who at times had to defend Ozil poor displays during their five years together at the Emirates reckons the German was not himself in Russia.
He told: "When I watched him play, I could feel there were situations in the game where he could have moved forward, progressed and played more vertical.
“He played security. I was thinking come on, that is not the real Ozil I know, the guy who can kill.
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“He played alright, but he didn't play with complete freedom and played with the handbrake on this World Cup for Germany.”
The Frenchman thinks the controversy around Ozil and international team-mate Ilkay Gundogan’s meeting with Turkish Recep Erdogan was another factor going into the tournament.
Wenger added: “Him and (Ilkay) Gundogan suffered with what happened before the World Cup because they have been vilified in Germany.
“Ozil is a guy who needs support, he doesn't need controversy.”