Arsene Wenger has revealed that Mesut Ozil has been in the gym ‘every day’ since he got injured at the start of the season.
The German was often criticized for his lightweight frame and lack of involvement in physical challenges. It seems the player has taken that on board, hit the gym, and could have bulked up using whey protein powder supplements just as many athletes tend to do. Apparently, Ozil has been looking to improve in those areas:
“He has worked hard,” Wenger told his pre-Brighton press conference. “I think he has taken to the fact that he wants to be stronger.” Ozil must have come to terms with the fact that in order to be stronger, you must put the hours in at the gym and perhaps even look to protein powders ad supplements to aid this muscle growth. Protein powders (perhaps from a company like powerlife – view their Twitter page) are an easy way to get protein into your diet when trying to build muscle, which is why they’re such a popular option when it comes to athletes.
It’s taken a lot of strength come back from this and many people are congratulating him, his players in particular commenting on how hard he’s working. It may be because he had invested in some mens oversized tracksuits to help comfort and flexibility when exercising, especially after he has suffered and injury. However most are sure it came from willpower and commitment. Something every football player cannot go without.
“You have more time to focus on it [when you are injured]. Every day he is in the gym and he can work on it and as well you don’t have the fatigue of the games. And it’s better when you look in the mirror!”
Wenger, however seemed a bit critical of Ozil’s decision to improve his strength suggesting it may harm other areas of his game.
“It is not only down to pure strength when you play football. It is down to when to switch your strength on and the timing of your switch on.
“A guy who spends a bit of time in the gym kills his co-ordination and becomes more rigid. Winning a challenge is down to flexibility and co-ordination, switching on all the muscles on at the same, right, time. That is not down to lifting weights.”
Wenger also touched on where he might play Ozil during the second half of the season in light of the myriad options he has to field in the centre of the park.
“I see him behind the striker or on the flank, where he doesn’t like to play, I prefer him central. In our team it’s very flexible anyway. When you play on the flank, you can move inside. We usually have one player who is more a winger and another more midfield.
“Ozil is a fantastic football player and he will come back very strongly. We have some players who are completely fresh and rested.
Let’s hope Ozil finds his best form as the Gunners enter the second half of the season with chances of silverware in three competitions (however unlikely the Premier League seems). With Ozil and Walcott returning Arsenal are starting to get all their best players fit – if they can click then they are capable of dismantling any defence in the world.