Wenger Takes Ozil Off Penalty Duty: Why Arsenal Boss Is Right To Protect Germany International

When footballers make big money moves it inevitably heaps pressure onto their performances, and not everyone can stand up to that pressure. One man who has done well in his debut season is Arsenal’s Mesut Ozil, but he has come in for some stick at points this season.

Despite scoring five league goals and creating 76 chances for his team-mates, his input has still caused some to pick holes in his displays, but Arsene Wenger has moved to protect him on a few occasions.

Going off a story on the Arsenal official site, Wenger has revealed that Mesut Ozil would not have been given the responsibility to take a penalty had their FA Cup final with Hull gone to spot-kicks.

I think it is smart from Wenger to keep him out of the spotlight. When Ozil missed his penalty against Bayern Munich in the Champions League, it acted as the starting point for the abuse. Imagine if he had missed a spot-kick against Hull and ultimately lost them the trophy they have been craving so desperately for nine years.

Wenger must do everything he can to keep him out of the papers and allow him to play his own game.