Ozil prefers playing for Germany over Arsenal, says pundit

Ozil prefers playing for Germany over Arsenal, says pundit

Arsenal midfielder Mesut Ozil has been accused of preferring to play for Germany instead of the Gunners by BBC pundit Phil Neville.

Neville was speaking during Germany’s opening World Cup match against Mexico, which the Germans shockingly lost 1-0.


Ozil has often been in the spotlight for his poor work ethic during his time at Arsenal, but has always been a key figure in Germany’s team since his emergence in 2010.

But despite saying he is a ‘massive fan’ of the playmaker, Neville believes that the midfielder is better for his country due to the quality players around him.

“I’m actually a massive fan of him,” said the 41-year-old.

“He’s just got so much quality on the ball. I think he enjoys playing for Germany more than he does for Arsenal. He’s in a better team around better players.

“He’s an easy target, Mesut Ozil, because of the way he plays, his style. Sometimes he appears that he’s not working as hard as his team-mates but he’s got undoubted quality.

“He is their key man, he plays in that central position. Sometimes at Arsenal they shove him on the left or the right, but for Germany he’s the focal point.

“He’s the one that they look to to thread the passes to (Thomas) Muller, to (Timo) Werner.”

Germany lost their first opening game of a World Cup for the first time since 1982, thanks to Hirving Lozano’s first half goal.