Martin Keown has urged Arsenal midfielder Mesut Ozil to be more ruthless and humiliate opponents like Lionel Messi does.
The Gunners playmaker has been the recipient of cautious praise following his return from a knee injury, showing much-improved desire and fitness levels.
Ozil was one of
the north London side’s stand out performers as Arsene Wenger’s side fell just short of a memorable comeback against Monaco, which would have sealed their Champions League progress.
Former Arsenal defender Keown is a big fan of the club’s record signing, but he feels World Cup winner Ozil needs to become Arsenal’s Messi and show no mercy against opponent players.
“If you look at the distances Ozil is covering and the amount he’s getting on the ball, he’s moving into new territory. Sometimes I just want to see more determination from him,” Keown told Daily Mail.
“I watched Lionel Messi last night, he got an assist and set up numerous chances for others. There seems a ruthlessness in his game that isn’t in Ozil.
“Thierry Henry said after the game that Messi plays for fun, but he’s quite happy to humiliate his opponents as well – knocking it through their legs time and again.
“I don’t think that’s in Ozil’s game. He plays for fun but he’s not as ruthless but he is getting closer to what you want to see from him.
“Someone like Messi is the benchmark if you’re Ozil. You should be trying to emulate him, to have that role in Arsenal’s team to create goals.”
Ozil has scored three goals and has made five assists in 14 Premier League appearances during an injury-hit season.
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