ARSENE WENGER HAS revealed Mesut Ozil spent the week in bed ahead of his latest masterclass against Manchester City.
Ozil bagged two assists as Arsenal beat title-rivals City 2-1 at the Emirates Stadium on Monday, taking his tally to 15 in the Premier League this season, more than double any other player.
His passes for goal-scorers Theo Walcott and Olivier Giroud mean Ozil now boasts 29 assists in the Premier League in total – the same number as Chelsea’s Eden Hazard but in 59 fewer matches.
“You need one guy who gives the ball to the one who scores the goal, in our team most times Ozil is this player, the guy who sees it, makes you win and he’s that,” Wenger said.
The German left the pitch to a standing ovation with 15 minutes remaining, but Wenger has revealed Ozil nearly did not face City, after training just once in the week due to illness.
“Ozil had a chest infection this weekend and he was in bed, basically,” said the Gunners boss.
“He had only one training session. For a guy who could not prepare well, he has done extremely well physically. I’m a bit cautious because we lost three or four players recently.”
Victory over City moved Arsenal four points clear of Manuel Pellegrini’s side, and just two behind Premier League leaders Leicester City.