Arsenal superstar Mesut Ozil failed to make the final shortlist for the Ballon d’Or.
Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger
Speaking to the press of his side’s trip to Sunderland tomorrow, Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger made a bizarre gaffe by congratulating Mesut Ozil on his Ballon d’Or nomination, despite the German not even making the final 30-man shortlist, as quoted by the Daily Mail.
Ozil has been on sparkling form for the Gunners of far this season, in a goalscoring sense at least, finding the net six times in 11 outings in all competitions.
He has only managed to chip in with one assist, however, a full 18 short of last season’s impressive tally of 19.
Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger
Wenger spoke to reporters at his pre-match press conference, and responded to a question regarding the Ballon d’Or, and the Frenchman quite clearly got his wires crossed regarding his star players nomination, or lack thereof, as quoted by the Daily Mail:
“Certainly there is a big satisfaction for him and for us as well, but I am against it because I think it gets in the head of players.”
Arsenal’s Mesut Ozil celebrates
There is no denying that Ozil’s performances over the past 10 months warrant a place on the final 30-man shortlist, but it really was quite unusual coming from a man of Wenger’s knowledge and obsession with the game to make such a glaring error.
The Gunners head to the North East tomorrow to take on Sunderland and could potentially move to the top of the table, should other results go their way.
Arsenal’s Mesut Ozil
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