Big game specialist Mesut Ozil can lead Arsenal to FA Cup glory, says Per Mertesacker

 
Key: Ozil was instrumental when Arsenal beat Hull 3-0 in the Premier League last month
Sam Johnston17 May 2014

Per Mertesacker has backed “big game” specialist Mesut Ozil to lead Arsenal to FA Cup glory against Hull City at Wembley.

Speaking ahead of Saturday’s final, the centre back tipped his international teammate to be the difference maker as Arsenal attempt to end their nine year trophy drought.

Mertesacker’s faith in his compatriot springs in part from a previous cup final - five years ago when the two were both at Werder Bremen, Ozil scored the winning goal to give Mertesacker the only major trophy of his career.

Ozil has experienced both ups and downs in his debut Premier League season – the joy of his goals and assists has been tarnished by accusations of a lack of effort and a hamstring injury, which ruled him out for a month at one of the most crucial points of the season.

However, the fact that Arsenal have won all four games since he returned to the side would attest to the high value Mertesacker places on the former Real Madrid man.

“I knew before he would suffer at some moment in his first Premier League season,” said Mertesacker.

“We are happy he is fit again and that he has got a few games under his belt to go now to Wembley and show everything he can do.

“He is one of the best players in Europe, and his contribution and his assists are vital for any club. In our cup final at Bremen, he scored the winner, and he is up for the big games.”

The lowest point of Ozil’s season came in the first knockout phase of the Champions League, having won a penalty with a sublime piece of skill, he was foiled from the spot by Manuel Neuer in the Bayern Munich goal.

Arsenal were unable to maintain their early momentum after the miss and Ozil’s confidence was damaged.

“We tried to talk to him every day afterwards,” said Mertersacker.

“I think it is very important to keep his confidence high because sometimes you go through that moment when you suffer a bit and you feel low.

“I think we’ve got a good squad to encourage, especially the Germans, of course.”

Having punctuated his return with a goal and an assist against Newcastle at the end of April, Ozil is now focussed on delivering the Arsenal fans a trophy.

“We want to take this silverware now and I am convinced we will achieve that,” said Ozil.

“We can win titles with this squad. This is very important for the fans as well. They have been waiting for so long.”

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