Wenger - Ozil has become a leader

By Lloyd Webb

Arsene Wenger has hailed Mesut Ozil for adding “leadership qualities and responsibility” to his game.

The German international claimed his 10th assist of the season on Sunday with a clever cross for Kieran Gibbs’ equaliser in the 1-1 draw with Tottenham Hotspur at Emirates Stadium.

Wenger was delighted with Ozil’s display and said the playmaker was instrumental in the Gunners’ recovery from a goal behind.

“He was outstanding again,” the manager told Arsenal Player. “He has grown into a very great player as he has added commitment, leadership qualities and responsibility and I’m very pleased with his development.

“It was a very intense game. We have been unlucky as in the first half we played without Santi Cazorla at his full power. We suffered in the middle of the park as he is the guide in our game and he couldn’t even pass the ball so I took him off.

“In the second half we balanced it back and I think we showed great mental resources at some points even though at some stage we were at the rupture point. We did not give up and continued to fight and in the end we got a point. I think even we could have got the three but overall the result is fair.

“We were stronger in the challenges and from then on it was a bit more difficult for them. On set pieces, crosses and free kicks, we created opportunities.

“In the last six league games we have had five wins and one draw and we have shown again that this team has great mental resources, which is quite important for the future.”