Mesut Ozil would thrive under Jose Mourinho if he joins Manchester United, believes Arsenal legend Ian Wright.
The German playmaker has been linked with United and has given no indication he will sign a new deal at the Emirates, with his current contract expiring in fewer than six months.
Now, former Gunner Wright, who is second on his old club’s list of all-time top goalscorers with 185, believes Ozil will flourish away from the tutelage of Arsene Wenger.
The No.11 is set to be a free agent this summer and uncertainty about his future persists as he could follow fellow contract rebel Alexis Sanchez out of north London.
The former Real Madrid star worked with Mourinho at the Bernabeu and enjoyed a fruitful relationship, and Wright is confident a reunion would be beneficial for the German.
“I think he’s not that type of player who will drag a team by its bootlaces through a game, but if your team is playing well, he’s going to sprinkle stardust all over the place,” Wright told Sky Sports.
“With the players he’d be playing with at Manchester United as well, he is unbelievable.”
Sanchez has also been strongly linked with a move to Old Trafford, though it previously appeared he was set to move to Manchester City to reunite with his former manager at Barcelona, Pep Guardiola.
However, recent reports suggest that United are winning the race to sign the Chilean after Guardiola’s side refused to meet Arsenal’s £35m evaluation of the player.
It would be a huge blow for Arsenal to lose both of their star players within months of each other – even more so should they lose them to one their biggest rivals.
Sanchez was omitted from the Arsenal squad that lost to Bournemouth on Saturday, plunging their season into further turmoil.
The Gunners got their first glimpse of life without their star Chilean against the Cherries when they were unable to hold on to a second-half lead, losing 2-1. Eddie Howe’s side struck twice late in the game to snatch all three points, handing Arsenal their sixth defeat of the season.
“Ozil is just awesome, and with the right team, and the right movement in front of him, he is easily one of the best I’ve seen. He’s amazing,” continued Wright.
“Is this difficult to say (that he’d be better off leaving)? Yeah. And we can’t keep arguably two of the best players, arguably in the history of the club, ability-wise. It’s sad times.”
Ozil was also missing from the squad that faced Bournemouth due to injury, and was absent from Wednesday’s goalless Carabao Cup draw against Chelsea. He has scored eight goals and registered five assists this season.
Since arriving from Real Madrid in 2013, Ozil has netted 27 goals and recorded 47 assists in 134 league appearances.
Together, Sanchez and Ozil have been involved in 19 goals in the Premier League.
Comments
Post a Comment