Mesut Ozil blames Arsenal for 'screwing up' title challenge, urges Arsene Wenger to strengthen team in summer

Mesut Ozil believes every club in the Premier League will spend big money to sign the best players from across the world and strengthen their squads ahead of next season owing to the lucrative TV deal that is set to boost the clubs' coffers. The midfielder believes that Arsenal also need to boost their squad in a number of areas after multiple injury setbacks during the course of the campaign derailed the Gunners' title charge, which is all but non-existent at the moment.

The north London club are currently in third place, 11 points behind league leaders Leicester City and six points behind Tottenham Hotspur in second, but have a game in hand over the teams above them. Despite playing one game less, Arsene Wenger's team have no chance unless the top two slip up in the coming weeks and the Germany international is pinning hopes on that happening and Arsenal going on an unbeaten run in the remaining eight games.

Ozil, who refuted rumours of a move away by admitting that he is focused on Arsenal, is desperate to win the title for the manager, who he believes is still highly motivated and hungry for success. The former Real Madrid midfielder, however, has put the blame of slipping up in the title race firmly on all the players, conceding that they "screwed up" during games against "smaller teams".

"We will only see more good players in the Premier League in the future due to the new TV deal. Teams will only get stronger and Arsenal will have to strengthen as well. This season has shown that we struggle when we are missing a number of key players. We cannot allow this to happen again next season," Ozil told Spox, as translated by the Daily Mail.

"Looking at our season so far, we have to be honest and admit that we screwed up ourselves. We did not play to our potential in the games against the so-called smaller teams. You immediately get punished for that in the Premier League."

"But we still have a chance of winning the title. We have to hope Leicester and Tottenham slip up and then make the most of it."

"I would be delighted for (Arsene) Wenger if we win the title. He played a major role in my decision to join Arsenal. He was desperate to sign me. Everybody knows he is an extraordinary manager. He is always hungry for success, has a lot of experience and always takes his time for the players. He helps players develop," the Germany international added.