Paul Scholes Urges Arsene Wenger to Stop Wasting Mesut Ozil Out Wide

Manchester United legend Paul Scholes has accused Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger of wasting the talents of £42m star Mesut Ozil by playing him out of position.

Despite winning the World Cup with Germany this summer, Ozil has endured a hugely disappointing 2014 for his club.

The 25-year-old came in for widespread criticism following his display in the 2-0 defeat to Borussia Dortmund in their Champions League opener on Tuesday – a performance that has been singled out as his worst in an Arsenal shirt.

Ozil had been asked to start wide that night in Dortmund to allow for a midfield trio of Mikel Arteta, Jack Wilshere, and Aaron Ramsey, depriving the former Real Madrid star of his favoured no. 10 role.

And Scholes has echoed the sentiments proclaimed by many in the wake of that chastening defeat in Germany, urging Wenger to stop wasting the player in an ineffective position.

"I admired Mesut Ozil as a player at Real Madrid but it is no use playing him wide," Scholes wrote in his column for the Independent.

"He is not interested in defending and he needs to be in the centre, among good quality players who get the best out of him. He has that languid style which makes it look like he isn't trying.

"I am sure that isn't the case, but he is struggling to find his form and he is too good a player to waste."

Scholes went on to reiterate his concerns over former teammate Danny Welbeck and his ability to match goal scoring expectations following his move to the Emirates.

"I felt for Danny Welbeck, who had chances to score. I rate him as a player but I have said before that he is a 10-15 goals a season striker, rather than a 25 a goal a season man.

"He needs to practise his finishing more. As a striker you really do suffer for missing chances."