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Ozil - The reasons I'm stronger now

Mesut Ozil has revealed the reasons behind his fine performances this season.

The Germany international has had an excellent campaign since returning from a three-month injury lay-off in January.

The 26-year-old is a leading contender for Arsenal’s Player of the Season, and he says he feels fully adapted to life in England now.

"The team are successful and I feel so at home here because of the way in which I was received by the whole team"

Mesut Ozil

“I always felt comfortable here,” Ozil told the Arsenal Magazine. “Yes, there were times when it was really difficult for me, but now everything is going very well.

“The team are successful and I feel so at home here because of the way in which I was received by the whole team. The boss gives me a lot of help too because he gives me his trust, and that helps me to feel happy at Arsenal as well.

“When you come to England and watch the games, you can feel how tough it is. In other leagues, you have some games that are really difficult and others that aren’t. Here, the season is very long and with many games. You have to play in midweek too and without a winter break.

“As a player, that’s something you have to get used to. In my first season, not having a winter break meant that I could notice my body becoming a bit tired. I had the World Cup after my first season here. It was such a great time but when I came back, the fitness coach said that even though I felt fit, the freshness was missing.

“I continued to give everything to help the team and that’s how I got my injury. That was a really bitter time because I missed football but it’s an experience you have to go through as a player. My aim was always to come back stronger and, thanks to God, everything worked out.”

 

Mesut Ozil is cover star in the June issue of the Arsenal Magazine

Mesut Ozil is cover star in the June issue of the Arsenal Magazine