Andros Townsend claims Arsenal ace Arteta reportedly wants to sell is ‘world-class’

Follow us on Google Discover

Crystal Palace winger Andros Townsend has come to the aide of Mesut Ozil as he told talkSPORT that the Arsenal outcast is ‘still a World Class’ footballer.

It has been well-documented for a number of months now that Arteta clearly doesn’t see Ozil part of his long-term plans.

The Mirror did previously claim that Arsenal are planning to reach out to Ozil where they will offer to pay off his £18 million contract so he can leave the club.

But former Spurs winger Townsend was quick to defend the player, as he shared how a player of the German’s qualities simply isn’t appreciated in this country.

“The thing with Ozil is in this country we’re so obsessed with midfielders tracking back, working hard, getting the tackles in, but Mesut Ozil has never been that player,” Townsend told talkSPORT.

“I think if anyone is going to sign Mesut Ozil, they know what they’re getting. They know they need to put two midfielders behind him who are going to work hard for him so they can allow him to get on the ball and do what he does best.

“I think everyone knows what Arteta is like, he’s obviously learned from [Pep] Guardiola, and Guardiola demands the most out of his players – every single one of them.

“So it’s unfortunate for Mesut Ozil because he’s still got a lot to offer. He’s still a world-class player – Arsenal are going in a different direction and unfortunately, he’s not part of that.”

Arteta has installed an energetic high-press into Arsenal’s system, but if they need to be reserved and drop back then they will do.

The forward players have been doing their defensive jobs very well recently, which perhaps indicates why they have won so many big matches – Liverpool (twice), Manchester City and Chelsea.

Arteta clearly hasn’t seen enough of Ozil in training or when he has played to make him part of his plans and his future in North London seems to be over.