Mesut Ozil: Arsenal aren't out of the title race, we just need to get on a roll to catch Chelsea

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James Benge9 January 2017

Mesut Ozil has refused to concede that Arsenal are out of the title race despite their struggles to close the gap to Chelsea.

Arsene Wenger’s side find themselves eight points off their London rivals at the top of the table after securing only a point away to Bournemouth 24 hours before Chelsea suffered their first defeat since September away to Tottenham.

Ozil missed the trip to the south coast with the illness that sidelined him for games against Crystal Palace and Preston but is expected to be back in the squad for Saturday’s visit to Swansea, the sort of match where Arsenal can ill afford to drop further points if they are to remain in a competitive title race involving six sides.

But it is not too late for Arsenal to turn it around, Ozil insisted.

“Definitely not, the past has shown it,” the Arsenal playmaker told Kicker when asked whether his side were out of the title race. “We led the league around a year ago, and more than a few thought we'd now go on and win the title. Chelsea are in that role now.

“We need to get on a roll, and you are nearing the top soon enough. I am convinced that we can still achieve our goal to be at the very top at the end.”

In Pictures | Preston vs Arsenal | 07/01/2017

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In the same interview the 28-year-old offered the clearest indication that his future is tied to that of current manager Arsene Wenger, whose contract expires at the end of the season. Ozil and team-mate Alexis Sanchez are currently locked in negotiations with Arsenal over their own deals, both of which expire in 18 months, though the German appears the more likely to extend.

Ozil has enjoyed his best season in front of goal, scoring nine times in 23 games across all competitions. However his performance levels stalled in the weeks leading up to his illness, most notably in a 2-1 defeat to Manchester City that ranks among his worst performances in an Arsenal shirt.

However Ozil insists that the criticism he receives, much of which his manager feels has been disproportionate to his performances, will not weaken his game in the slightest.

“The public always expect me to play well,” he said. “If I show one bad match after 10 good matches, there's criticism straight away.

“If I were to believe everything which is written about me, I'd be crazy by now. But through my experience and my confidence I can cope with criticism, it only makes me stronger.”

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