Share

Bellerin: Ozil is a crucial player for Arsenal

Cape Town - Hector Bellerin says Arsenal team-mate Mesut Ozil is a 'born champion' and the Gunners are fortunate to have someone of his calibre at the club. 

Ozil showed his quality on Monday night as Unai Emery's charges beat Leicester City 3-1 at Emirates Stadium.

The German equalised on the stroke of half-time, after a Bellerin own-goal gave the visitors the lead, and made significant contributions to Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang's two goals to help the hosts to victory. 

"Mesut is a player that always keeps giving his best and is always surprising everyone and he's a player that we're very grateful and very lucky to have," said Bellerin. 

"When the team play well with good football and he can find space he's always a killer with his passes and finishes, so for us to have a player like him in the team is very important." 

Asked whether he is sometimes in awe of Ozil's play, he replied: "It is like that! It's like that in training and it's like that game by game. 

"It's always a blessing to have players like that but the work comes from the whole team and it comes from the back from the goalkeeper to the striker. We're all one and when you have players with such quality it's always that little bit easier. 

"Mesut is a player that has been through a lot in his career through loads of ups and downs, but most of all he's a born champion and he's a player who has so many records in the world of football, so he's a player that is an example for everyone. 

"Everyone wants to have the success that he's had on and off the pitch, so for us to have someone like him as a captain is really important."

We live in a world where facts and fiction get blurred
Who we choose to trust can have a profound impact on our lives. Join thousands of devoted South Africans who look to News24 to bring them news they can trust every day. As we celebrate 25 years, become a News24 subscriber as we strive to keep you informed, inspired and empowered.
Join News24 today
heading
description
username
Show Comments ()
Voting Booth
Should Siya Kolisi keep the captaincy as the Springboks build towards their World Cup title defence in 2027?
Please select an option Oops! Something went wrong, please try again later.
Results
Yes! Siya will only be 36 at the next World Cup. He can make it!
25% - 1118 votes
No! I think the smart thing to do is start again with a younger skipper ...
29% - 1287 votes
I'd keep Siya captain for now, but look to have someone else for 2027.
45% - 1981 votes
Vote
Editorial feedback and complaints

Contact the public editor with feedback for our journalists, complaints, queries or suggestions about articles on News24.

LEARN MORE