Mesut Ozil inferior to this Arsenal team-mate & Chelsea star, says Danny Murphy
Former Tottenham midfielder Danny Murphy has blasted Arsenal playmaker Mesut Ozil.
Ozil is expected to start today’s FA Cup final between Arsenal and Chelsea at Wembley.
The 28-year-old has been in impressive form of late, providing three assist in Arsenal’s last four games.
However, Murphy has claimed that Ozil is not as good as either his teammate Alexis Sanchez or Chelsea star Eden Hazard. Murphy went onto state that Arsenal’s lack of depth may cost them on the day.
“If Eden Hazard has a bad day, Chelsea can always turn to Cesc Fabregas, while Pedro and Willian can make the difference from wide,” Murphy told the Standard.
“Diego Costa can also deliver goals and physicality.
“Yet if Alexis Sanchez does not perform for Arsenal, who do they turn to?
“Mesut Ozil is not in the same bracket as Hazard or Sanchez because he does not have their ability to change a game quickly.
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“Cast your mind back to the semi-final between Chelsea and Tottenham.
“When Dele Alli made it 2-2 for Spurs, you were sure they would win the game. But Chelsea brought on Hazard and Fabregas, shifted up a few gears, and Hazard scored the third goal in their 4-2 win.
“Chelsea have a number of players capable of that but Arsenal possess only one.”
Arsenal have won the FA Cup twice in the last three years. Arsene Wenger can become the first manager to win the trophy seven times.
Chelsea head into today’s clash with a clean bill of health. Arsenal meanwhile are missing their first-choice centre-back Laurent Koscielny due to a red card suspension.
Ozil has racked up 14 assists and 12 goals in 43 appearances for Arsenal his season.