SM
Spurs vs. Man United: 3 hrs 24 mins
Upcoming predictions and previews
AL
Europa League | Round of 32
Feb 21, 2019 at 5.55pm UK
 

3-0

Volkov (4' og.), Mustafi (39'), Sokratis (60')
FT(HT: 2-0)

Ozil is vital to Arsenal - Sokratis

:Headline: Ozil is vital to Arsenal - Sokratis: ID:351129: from db_amp
The German started just his second game since Boxing Day as the Gunners beat BATE Borisov 3-0.

Sokratis Papastathopoulos has called Mesut Ozil one of the "most important" members of Arsenal's squad and believes they need him fit and available.

Ozil started just his second game since Boxing Day as the Gunners beat BATE Borisov 3-0 on Thursday night to progress to the last 16 of the Europa League.

Having lost 1-0 in Belarus, Unai Emery's side had to turn the tie around and managed to do so with ease as an early Zakhar Volkov own goal and headers from Shkodran Mustafi and Sokratis secured safe passage into the next round.

Their European campaign will continue against Rennes, with Friday's draw in Nyon, Switzerland sending the Ligue 1 club to north London for the first leg of the tie on March 7.

Ozil, who ended the night as captain after Laurent Koscielny limped off with a minor muscular injury, has been on the fringes of the first team as Emery looks to implement his philosophy at the Emirates Stadium.

The 30-year-old has also been told by the Arsenal boss that he needs to shake off minor injuries and illness if he is to command a regular place in his side – but Sokratis believes Ozil improves the team when included.

"He played very good," Sokratis said of Ozil's display.

"Mesut is a fantastic player and when he is fit he is one of the most important players in the team. Of course when something is not going good, everybody is there to criticise but we have to see also what Mesut did in the last years for this team.

“Mesut is a fantastic player and when he is fit he is one of the most important players of the team.”
- Sokratis Papastathopoulos

"All the team, all the players are behind him and we need a good Mesut to go (forward) because we know that he is very important for us."

Greece international Sokratis is only just back from his own ankle injury, scoring on his comeback against the Belarusian champions having not played since the FA Cup defeat to Manchester United on January 25.

He defended Ozil's injury record and insists the former Real Madrid man is still training with a smile on his face – even if he still polarises the opinions of those who watch Arsenal on a regular basis.

"He was sick, he had some problems but after he came back for training," he said.

"Now, he is good. He did well yesterday and I hope in the next games he will go forward like this. He enjoys (himself) and we enjoy that he is with us.

"But when you are injured, it is difficult. Mesut is very important, he is a very good guy and we need him."

Arsenal will next come up against Rennes as Emery looks to guide them to a trophy at the end of his first season in charge.

The Spaniard lifted the Europa League in three successive seasons as manager of Sevilla and Sokratis believes that track record can only help Arsenal claim the prize for themselves.

Unai Emery led Sevilla to Europa League glory at the expense of Liverpool in the 2016 final (Adam Davy/PA)

"It (the Europa League) is very important, of course," he added.

"We have to go until the end and try to win it. Our coach won this trophy a lot of times and that is good for us.

"When you win something three times, it is something special. Not everybody has won this trophy three times and it will be very important for us to go until the final."

amp_article__351129 : Database Data restored...  : 
last updated article - 2019-02-22 13:33:02:
html db last update - 2019-02-22 13:33:02 :

ex - 7200 : read : read cache amp html

Mesut Ozil future - Click here for more stories

Click here for more stories about Sokratis

Click here for more stories about Arsenal

Share this article now:
Recommended Next on SM
Premier League Table
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Liverpool15113131131836
2Chelsea16104237191834
3Arsenal1686229151430
4Nottingham ForestNott'm Forest168442119228
5Manchester CityMan City168352823527
6Bournemouth167452421325
7Aston Villa167452425-125
8Fulham166642422224
9Brighton & Hove AlbionBrighton166642625124
10Tottenham HotspurSpurs1672736191723
11Brentford167273230223
12Newcastle UnitedNewcastle166552321223
13Manchester UnitedMan Utd166462119222
14West Ham UnitedWest Ham165472129-819
15Crystal Palace163761721-416
16Everton153661421-715
17Leicester CityLeicester163582134-1314
18Ipswich TownIpswich162681628-1212
19Wolverhampton WanderersWolves1623112440-169
20Southampton1612131136-255
Scroll for more - Tap for full version


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
AL
Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!

Loading ...

Failed to load data.



. . . . . . . . . . . . . . .