Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger has criticised Mesut Ozil for saying the team botched their Premier League title challenge, insisting the players must keep believing until the end of the season.

The Germany playmaker, who has been Arsenal's best player this season, told German website spox.com that "looking at our season so far, we have to be honest and admit that we botched it ourselves" by not beating some of the "smaller teams" in the league.

While Ozil added that Arsenal haven't given up on the title race, Wenger acknowledged that his comments could give the impression that his players don't think they can overhaul Leicester's 11-point lead.

"The statement is not welcome," Wenger said. "Because I think we have to believe, even if we have one chance in a hundred, we have to believe. We only have a real chance if we believe."

When asked if Ozil's comments weren't just a "fair and honest" reflection of Arsenal's season, Wenger added: "I have nothing against that, you want to be fair and honest. But you want as well to look forward."

Arsenal face Watford on Saturday looking to build on the 2-0 win over Everton before the international break and maintain some pressure on Leicester and second-placed Tottenham. But the Gunners know that winning all eight of their remaining games won't be enough unless Leicester drop at least eight points in their last seven matches.

"We have to make sure we play with passion until the end, that's the best way to get the supporters behind us," Wenger said. "We still have a good opportunity, and we have to grab it now. It's now or never."

Ozil is just two Premier League assists shy of Thierry Henry's single-season record of 20, but has seen Arsenal's strike force miss most of the chances he has created for them in 2016. And Wenger remains optimistic that he can tie the German's long-term future to the club in the summer. Ozil and Chile forward Alexis Sanchez will both have two years left on their current contracts this season, with talks over new deals set to begin in the offseason.

Wenger insisted he is confident that both players will agree new deals, and that they are happy at the club.

"When I speak to them, they look happy," he said. "They want to extend their contracts, I don't think that's a problem."

Source:
courtesy of ESPNFC

by Mattias Karen, Arsenal correspondent

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