Mesut Ozil has aimed a thinly veiled swipe at former boss Unai Emery, claiming Arsenal lost some of it’s identity under the leadership of the Spaniard.
The former Germany international fell out of favour at the Emirates during Emery’s reign, starting just 20 league matches last term.
However, he has been given a new lease of life under Mikel Arteta, having started every match with the Gunners boss tasting defeat just once in his opening five fixtures.
Asked about Arteta’s influence at the club since he was appointed last month, Ozil admitted he believes the club is going back to its natural principles.
“It is basically getting us back to the old Arsenal virtues,”, he told the club’s website.
Darren Bent says Mesut Ozil has been Arsenal’s best player since Mikel Arteta’s appointment as manager
“Fighting and having possession, being in control of the game, having the ball all the time.
“These are the things that he is working on with us and you can see it — everyone is smiling, laughing, enjoying their time — it has made us successful.
“I think he is the right man at this club.”
Arteta spent three years as Pep Guardiola’s assistant at Manchester City after ending his career at Arsenal in 2016.
And Ozil believes his experience of working with former Barcelona boss will serve the club well as he begins his managerial career.
“He can show us everything he has learnt in his long career. He knows exactly what we need,” said Ozil.
“He knows what to say to us, how to give us a positive attitude and how to make us successful.
“I can see he is really hungry but at the same time he is also very down to earth.”
Ozil’s comments come after Emery publicly admitted he found it difficult to incorporate the German into his system.
Despite admitting Ozil’s has qualities for all to see, Emery said the 31-year-old relies heavily on surrounding players to support him.
“There are games in which you see Mesut’s brilliance, linking with the attack,” Emery said. “But also I had to find players around him so he felt comfortable.
“Also the team needed to feel solid. And when you, little by little, have to build a team that is aggressive, intense, as well as structured for good pressure, we also had to find a space for Mesut.
“Ozil is a very important player if you can find a way to make it work with other players.
“He has talent that allows other players to be better, but when you want a bit more aggressive pressure he does not have the best qualities for that.”
