Arsenal Legend Says Mesut Ozil Wouldn't Get In 'Invincibles' Side

Mesut Ozil isn't short from getting a bit of stick, with the German regularly receiving criticism for 'going missing in big games'.

He's a phenomenally gifted footballer, capable of doing things that we have never seen before, but his big-game performances have come into question.

Former Arsenal centre-back Martin Keown, who won three Premier League titles with the Gunners, says that while Ozil is technically brilliant, he would not be good enough for the club's 'Invincibles' - the team that went the whole 2003-04 season unbeaten.

Diminutive Dutchman Dennis Bergkamp was the number ten in that side and Keown sees no reason for how Ozil could displace him in the side.

Speaking to the Daily Mail, he said:

"Ozil would not get in. It would be a choice between Ozil and Dennis Bergkamp. Dennis played in the same position but he would start higher up the pitch and then drop.

"Ozil starts deep and you don't know when he is coming or going. We saw it against Chelsea - Sanchez is saying, 'Come on' but Ozil does not really want to go and press."

Arsenal went a total of 49 games unbeaten in that era, with a rock solid backline that included goalkeeper Jens Lehmann and defenders Lauren, Kolo Toure, Sol Campbell and Ashley Cole but also contained the mercurial talents of Robert Pires, Sylvain Wiltord, Freddie Ljungberg, Dennis Bergkamp and Thierry Henry.

Would there be a place for Ozil in that side?

Let us know your thoughts in the comments.

Josh Lawless

Josh is a writer who specialises in football and wrestling. He has been published by Curzon Ashton FC, Late Tackle, Manchester City FC, The Mirror, Read Man City and Manchester Evening News. He provides coverage of professional wrestling and has interviewed some of the biggest names in the field - including the first UK interview with The Hardy Boyz after their return to WWE. He has never sported a pair of Lonsdale Slip-ons, contrary to reports.

@https://twitter.com/JoshLawless_