Ghana defender Jonathan Mensah reveals Arsenal star Mesut Ozil is one the toughest players he's played against

Ghana defender Jonathan Mensah says one of the best players he’s faced in his career is Arsenal midfielder Mesut Ozil.

Mensah, who plays for French Evian, rates the German international as one of his toughest opponent.

Mensah squared off against Ozil during Ghana’s World Cup 2-2- stalemate against Germany in Brazil 2014 where he had a tough time.

And the 25-year-old has revealed the former Real Madrid star is one of the toughest opponent he’s faced in his career.

Mensah has been ruled out of action for four weeks with a hamstring problem.

Arsenal's Mesut Ozil relishing No. 10 role - 'I don't need goals for my ego'

Mesut Ozil has said his excellent form for Arsenal this season is down to him playing in a No. 10 position for the club.

Ozil, 27, has impressed for Arsenal, recording 11 assists in the Premier League and scoring three goals in all competitions.

The Germany international, who signed for the Gunners from Real Madrid for £42.5 million in 2013, said he is enjoying his football at Emirates Stadium.

"I am an absolute team player. I don't need goals for my ego," he told Sport 1. "Whoever is positioned best in front of the goal should shoot. But I understand that I need to try to score myself from time to time. I do that now."

"On top of it all, that I have my position as the No. 10 in midfield now. And you should also not forget that we've got a super team, and get along really well.

"We all know how the others play, and you also predict the running path of a teammate in a situation."

When asked whether his good run of form could make the difference in the title race, Ozil said: "Not because of Mesut Ozil, but with Mesut Ozil.

"We've twice won the FA Cup, and won the Charity Shield this summer too. We definitely want to improve that. Should we continue like that, and become just a tiny bit more consistent, it can work out. But the others don't sleep."

Prior to the season, Gunners boss Arsene Wenger challenged Ozil to score more goals, and, following his header in Tuesday's 3-0 win over Dinamo Zagreb, praised Ozil.

Wenger told BT Sport: ""He had an outstanding first half, he has got the taste for scoring now. "I've never seen him in the box so many times this season, especially in the last five or six games."

Arsenal to receive 'serious' bid for Mesut Ozil next summer - agent

FENERBAHCE are 'serious' about wanting to sign Arsenal playmaker Mesut Ozil, according to his agent.

Ozil became Arsenal's record signing when he joined from Real Madrid in 2013 for £42.5million.

The 26-year-old has flattered to deceive at times, despite winning two FA Cup trophies during his time at the Emirates.

And after learning of Fenerbahce's interest earlier in the year, Ozil admitted he would welcome a move to Istanbul at some point in his career.

He was quoted as saying in July: "In the future I want to wear a Fenerbahce shirt. It would be an honour. Everyone knows I am a Fenerbahce fan."

Fenerbahce to accelerate Mesut Ozil interest at the end of the season

His agent believes the Turkish giants could make a move for the German World Cup winner as early as next summer.

Erkut Sogut told Vatan: "Fenerbahce are serious but it all depends on what answer Arsenal give. It will all become clear at the end of the season."

But Fenerbahce are likely to fail in their pursuit as Arsene Wenger has no desire to sell the former Schalke and Werder Breman star.

In response to Juventus' interest in the summer, the Gunners boss said: "Ozil is our player, will remain our player and wants to remain our player."

Arsenal fans react on Twitter to Mesut Ozil's performance as a striker

Arsenal fans felt Mesut Ozil offered more than Olivier Giroud did after filling in for the striker against Dinamo Zagreb.

Olivier Giroud's sending off prompted Arsene Wenger to experiment as he tried to find a way for Arsenal recover against Dinamo Zagreb.

Arsenal ended up losing 2-1, becoming the third English side to suffer defeat in their opening Champions League game.

Theo Walcott, on as a substitute, scored Arsenal's goal in the second half, but it was Mesut Ozil who took up more of a central forward role.

The German was a lively presence in attack, and actually offered the movement Olivier Giroud is unable to.

Ozil was playing in a position he is unaccustomed to for Arsenal, but has done so for Germany playing as a 'False Nine'. When Walcott was brought on for Sanchez, he simply slotted in for the Chilean out wide.

His role is not likely one Arsenal are likely to repeat by choice, but given their lack of options up front, it is a possibility they are pushed into doing so again.

Typically when Arsenal suffer a lacklustre defeat in Europe, Ozil is one of the first players to be criticised, but the effort he made in the second half saw him become one of the few players to emerge with any credit from the surprise defeat.

Here is a look at how fans reacted to his display... 

Germany coach Joachim Low tells Mesut Ozil: forget about the Olympics

Germany coach Joachim Loew considers it all but impossible for any of his players to compete both at next year's Rio de Janeiro Olympics and Euro 2016, saying the fatigue of playing two tournaments in a summer was too much.

Arsenal midfielder Mesut Ozil has said he would like to play at the Olympics where teams consist of under-23 players along with some overage players.

But a month before the Olympics in the Brazilian city, World Cup winners Germany are hoping to compete at the Euro 2016 in France.

Loew said on Thursday any such Olympic hopes would have to give way to the Euro.

"Obviously the Olympics are an emotional issue. For me, however, it is unthinkable to play both tournaments," he told reporters, adding that it would require two preparation phases for the player for each tournament as well as the long competitions.

The German club season will also start in the same month of August as the Olympics.

"I think it makes no sense. It would help no one. So it is vastly unlikely (to happen) and priority for us is the Euro," Loew said.

Germany's Toni Kroos and Thomas Mueller have also refused to consider the possibility of playing at both events, when asked by reporters, saying the Euros and the World Cups meant more to a footballer than the Olympics.

Germany are in second place in their Euro 2016 qualifying group D on 13 points, one point behind leaders Poland, who they face on Friday. Scotland, Germany' opponents on Monday in Glasgow, are third on 11.

Mesut Ozil says if he is to win Ballon d'Or he must be 'more egotistical' for Arsenal

Mesut Ozil has said before that he is "convinced" he can win the Ballon d'Or and now he has a plan on how to do it.

Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi have been the only recipients of the award recognising the best player in Europe since 2007, but Arsenal midfielder Ozil is hopeful he can muscle in.

Speaking earlier in the year he told Sport Bild: "I am convinced that it can happen."

But if it is, he says he must be getting on the score sheet more.

"I have to become more dangerous in front of the goal," he said when asked about winning the accolade.

"I was injured for long spells last season, and scored only five in 32 competitive games. I want to improve this. To achieve it, I have to be a bit more egotistical."

 

Ozil is yet to score this season, but missed Arsenal's most recent game - a 1-0 win over Newcastle - through injury. However, the World Cup winner is in contention to be ready for Germany's Euro 2016 qualifiers against Poland on Friday and Scotland next week.

Mesut Ozil: Selamat Hari Merdeka Indonesia

Liputan6.com, Jakarta - Mesut Ozil mengucapkan Selamat Hari Merdeka ke-70 Republik Indonesia. Ucapan itu disampaikan gelandang Arsenal dan Timnas Jerman tersebut melalui laman resmi media sosial Facebook miliknya.

Melalui postingannya, Ozil juga mengunggah foto dirinya di ruang ganti pemain yang berisi kostum pemain Arsnal. Di foto tersebut, Ozil mengenakan kemeja putih dengan dasi merah.

Dalam ucapannya, Ozil mencantumkan hastag, #RedAndWhite #Indonesia #IndependenceDay. "Wish all Indonesians a very happy 70th Independence Day, peace, prosperity and growth!" tulis Mesut Ozil di akun facebooknya.

Ucapan Ozil ini sudah dibagikan sebanyak 5.775 pengguna Facebook dan telah mendapat 4.246 komentar.

Selain Ozil, dua pemain Inter Milan, Dodo dan Jonathan Biabiany, juga turut merayakan Hari Kemerdekaan ke-70 Republik Indonesia. Mereka merayakannya paada acara Expo 2015 yang berlangsung di Milan, Italia, Senin (17/8/2015).

"Senangnya mengetahui bahwa kami juga memiliki banyak fans di Indonesia dan saya ingin mengunjungi negara tersebut. Hari ini (17 Agustus) adalah hari penting bagi mereka dan menjadi sebuah kehormatan merayakan Dirgahayu ke-70 Kemerdekaan Republik Indonesia bersama mereka. Dan kami senang, mereka memilih merayakan itu bersama kami!" ucap Biabiany. (Bog/Ary)