Ozil: I'm playing my best football for Arsenal

Posted Friday, April 17, 2015 by Goal.com

The Germany international has struggled for form since joining the Gunners from Real Madrid but has improved his showings since recovering from injury

Arsenal midfielder Mesut Ozil believes he is playing his best football since joining the north London club.

The Germany international moved to Emirates Stadium for €50 million from Real Madrid in August 2013, but has been criticised for his performance levels during his time with the Gunners.

Following his return from injury in January, however, the 26-year-old has been praised for his displays, and Ozil feels his extended lay-off with a ruptured knee ligament allowed him to work on his strength and adapt to the physical nature of the Premier League.

"At the moment I am pleased with the consistency of my game," he told Sport Magazine. "I feel I am now playing my best football since joining Arsenal.

"I was exhausted at the start of the season. I started playing professional football at the age of 16 and had never really suffered many serious injuries.

"I guess 10 years of consistently playing football took its toll. I was also struggling with the physicality of this league.

"The injury worked in my favour in a way, as it gave me time to recover, to assess and to work on what was required to compete in this league.

"The football here is far more physical, it is played at a faster tempo and you have to adapt to the sheer number of games.

"I have had to work a lot harder and adjust my game accordingly. I used my time out with injury to work on my strength. I'm continuing to do extra sessions after training now."