Merson: Ozil not good enough

Former Arsenal midfielder Paul Merson says Mesut Ozil’s role in Everton’s winning goal on Tuesday night was ‘not good enough’.

Arsenal lost 2-1 at Goodison Park, a result which leaves them third in the Premier League and six points behind leaders Chelsea, and Merson feels Ozil could have done more to prevent Ashley Williams heading in from a corner late on.

Writing in his column for the Daily Star, Merson said: “He [Ozil] was cowering as the ball came in and he literally ran away from it.

“That’s not good enough. That doesn’t win you league titles. He doesn’t even need to win it. Just a little nudge could have been enough to put Ashley Williams off but he gave up.

“Arsenal can’t afford to do that.”

Arsene Wenger’s side travel to Manchester City on Sunday and they’ll again be without defender Shkodran Mustafi, who has been ruled out for the remainder of the year with a hamstring injury.

“They are really going to miss Shkodran Mustafi. He hasn’t lost a game since he’s been there,” said Merson.

“But if Arsenal lose this game they could suddenly be a long way behind Chelsea and playing catch-up again.”

Manchester City bounced back from consecutive defeats at home to Chelsea and away to Leicester with a 2-0 victory over Watford on Wednesday and Merson believes the game against Arsenal is a must-win for Pep Guardiola’s side.

“They’ve already lost one big game at home, they can’t afford to lose another,” he said.

“People say there’s still a long way to go in the title race but every game counts, and these are big games. You can’t let anyone get too big a lead at this stage of the season and that is what Chelsea are threatening to do.”