‘Bayern was not as strong as they were’ – Mesut Ozil reveals German giants have weakened despite beating Arsenal 10-2 on aggregate
Bayern Munich crushed Arsenal 10-2 on aggregate in the Champions League Last 16.
Germany international of Turkish origin Mesut Ozil did feature over the course of the tie.
Despite being on the wrong end of the heavy defeat, Ozil revealed in a recent interview that he believes this Bayern side actually a weaker compared to Bayern teams of the past.
The 28-year-old stated that losing to a weakened Bayern side made the defeat all the more painful.
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“Of course we had high hopes. In my opinion Bayern was not as strong as they were in the years before. We expected to achieve something. The disappointment was huge, also because I think we have the quality to go far in the competition. Unfortunately it did not happen,” Ozil revealed.
Ozil underlined that the fact Arsenal are drawing 1-1 at half-time in Germany against Bayern made the defeat even more disappointing.
“The disappointment [against Bayern] was very, very big, obviously. Especially as it was 1-1 at half-time. To lose that high during the second half was bitter. Not just for me, but for the whole team. And we knew ahead of the second leg that it would be extremely difficult, especially against such a strong team,” he added.
Arsenal crashed out at the Last 16 stage of the Champions League for the seventh consecutive season.
The Gunners are currently sixth in the league but are still in the race to make the top four and book a place in the Champions League.
Ozil has never been part of an Arsenal side that have failed to make it to the Champions League.
The North London based outfit have finished in the top-four for the past 20 seasons.
