Mesut Özil believes that Arsenal have “messed up” their season by failing to beat lesser sides.
Arsenal are 11 points behind Leicester City, the leaders, with a game in hand, having lost the lead and games against West Bromwich Albion and Swansea City and managed only to draw with Norwich City and Stoke City.
Arsenal face a similar challenge tomorrow when they host bottom-half Watford, who beat them 2-1 in the FA Cup quarter-final last month. In contrast, Arsenal have taken 11 points from 15 against teams in the present top four.
Özil said that Arsenal can only hope that Leicester and Tottenham Hotspur, who are in second place, drop points in the run-in. “Looking at the season so far, we have to admit honestly that we messed it up ourselves,” Özil said. “We did not achieve against smaller clubs what we are able to do. But we still have chances [of winning the title]. We have to lie in wait for a slip-up from Leicester and Tottenham and then be ready to make the most out of it.”
Özil, who has scored five and made 18 league goals this season, said Arsenal have been hurt by injuries to key players and need to strengthen their squad this summer. “This season has shown that we struggle when we are missing a number of key players and we cannot allow this to happen again,” he said. “We will only see more good players in the Premier League in the future due to the new television deal. Teams will only get stronger and Arsenal will have to strengthen as well.”
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He ruled out a return to Spain, where he played for Real Madrid, and paid tribute to Arsène Wenger, his Arsenal manager who has been criticised by a section of the fans. “I would be delighted for Arsène if we win the title,” he said. “Everybody knows he is an extraordinary manager. He is always hungry for success and he helps players develop.”
Samir Nasri is expected to make his comeback tomorrow from a five-and-a-half month injury layoff in Manchester City’s match away to Bournemouth. Nasri, 28, had surgery on his thigh after suffering a gruesome training ground injury in which muscle detached from the bone.
The midfielder required almost 100 stitches during surgery, but is now fit after completing his rehabilitation. “It’s been five-and-a-half-months and all I need now is playing time,” Nasri said.
Kevin de Bruyne, who has been out for two months with damaged ankle and knee ligaments, is also expected to be in the squad and a late call will be made on Fabian Delph, who has returned to training after a calf injury.
Martín Demichelis, the City defender, trained with the squad yesterday after he was charged with misconduct by the FA for allegedly breaking betting rules. Demichelis played down the seriousness of the charge, which alleges that he placed 12 bets on overseas matches in January, even though he could be banned if found guilty.
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“I think it is nothing serious,” the 35-year-old said. “I will talk about it when I have been briefed by my lawyer.”