Arsenal: Mesut Ozil hopes club sign 'stronger players' to spark title charge next season

Arsenal playmaker Mesut Ozil believes the club should be signing "stronger players" during the summer transfer window if they want to challenge for the Premier League crown next season.

While the Gunners finished the season in second place ahead of arch rivals Tottenham Hotspur, their title challenge evaporated long before that having failed to keep pace with eventual champions Leicester City.

Arsene Wenger's title hopes were somewhat hindered by long-term injuries to key players, with Santi Cazorla, Danny Welbeck, Jack Wilshere, Francis Coquelin and Alexis Sanchez all enduring spells on the sidelines.

But Ozil is hopeful a stronger squad next season can help address this season's shortcomings.

In an interview with Sport360, Ozil said: "It is a long season and a lot of things must go right in the season. One of the things is players getting injured which is one factor definitely. One the other hand, we just have to focus more and with stronger players maybe coming, be competitive for next season and we will see where we end up at the end."

Instead of a title challenge, the conclusion to Arsenal's season was marked by growing fan unrest, with Arsene Wenger facing fan criticism unlike he has ever faced during his 20 years in north London.

Wenger has one more year remaining on his contract and has insisted he will not make a final decision on his future until the end of next season. Ozil however refused to comment on the managerial speculation, insisting the decision is not one for the players' to decide on.

"For me, it is important as a player that I concentrate, play football and that I do my best for the team and myself. I am not telling something about the future of a manager, it is not my work to tell this for the club, it is for the club to decide about. It is not for me to decide."