Is this why Real Madrid 'decided to sell him' - Graeme Souness slams Arsenal star

Is this why Real Madrid ‘decided to sell him’ – Graeme Souness slams Arsenal star

Eren Sarigul

February 20, 2017

Is this why Real Madrid ‘decided to sell him’ – Graeme Souness slams Arsenal star

Former Liverpool player and manager Graeme Souness has launched a scathing attacking on Arsenal star playmaker Mesut Ozil.

During an interview with the Sunday Times, Souness questioned the ability of the World Cup winner. Souness also slammed the former Real Madrid man for failing to show up in the big games.

Ozil has come under heavy criticism from fans and pundits this season following Arsenal’s dip in form.

“Against small clubs, Ozil is a worldie. Against the big boys, he’s a world away,” Souness told the Sunday Times.

“The home side went at it full throttle from the first whistle, playing high up the field, and in Arjen Robben, Thiago Alcantara and Robert Lewandowski, they had three players who did not waste chances in big matches.

“What we saw from Bayern was all their qualities magnified. Conversely, what we got from Arsenal epitomised all their failings.

“Yet again, we saw a group of players who failed to show up on the biggest of stages. Nobody was saying: “This is my level, I’m going to make a difference.”“Ozil copped most of the criticism. Should we be surprised? Not really. The German is Arsenal in a nutshell. Against the Crystal Palaces of this world, he is an absolute worldie player. “Against the big boys of the Premier League and Europe, he is an absolute world away. Just remember that this is a £42m player we are discussing. “Is this what Real Madrid saw when they decided to sell him? Had they spotted the flaw? He was nearly 25 when he moved from the Bernabeu. That is when a player should be in his prime.”

Ozil made the move from Real Madrid to Arsenal for a club record £40 million back in September 2013.

The Germany international has won two FA Cup trophies since arriving in England but has divided oppinion.

Meanwhile, Manchester United manage Jose Mourinho stated that Ozil was the best No. 10 in the world during his time at Real Madrid.

“Özil is unique. There is no copy of him – not even a bad one. He is the best number 10 in the world,” Mourinho was quoted as saying by Marca.

Ozil was part of the Arsenal side which suffered a heavy 5-1 defeat at the hands of Bayern Munich last week.